Farmer fury as travellers start building illegal site at Easter
Farmers and residents of a Hertfordshire village have been left feeling vulnerable and frustrated after illegal construction activities linked to an unauthorised encampment took place at speed and scale over the Easter weekend.
Despite an emergency Section 187B injunction being issued by the local council for a breach of planning control, work has continued in Flamstead by travellers intent on developing the site.
It is understood the 1.6ha (4-acre) site was purchased by the travellers, but planning consent was not acquired.
See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… trespassing travellers
Locals were met with violent abuse and threats as bulldozers, HGVs and other vehicles started arriving in numbers at the location, which is situated on green belt land on the edge of the Chilterns in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
In what one local farmer described as a very “slick” operation, around 100 lorry loads of hardcore were delivered from 6pm on Thursday (2 April), accompanied by pipework and septic tanks. These were followed by other vehicles, blocking lanes and forcing entry across fields.
As groundworks and the installation of static homes intensified over the long weekend, trees were felled without permission, gateways widened, and access to the site gained by trespass.
Civil offence
The farmer, who has one arable field adjoining the site, said there is very little that can be done.
“We’ve been advised that it’s a civil offence rather than a criminal one. We’re proud of this beautiful landscape and do everything by the book, so to see it being trashed like this is very difficult.”
He spent much of the weekend tightening up his own farm’s security. “We’ve been digging trenches, securing gateways and fuel tanks, and installing cameras around buildings,” he said.
Given the hostile behaviour encountered, farmers with livestock in surrounding fields have been unable to check on their animals or complete fieldwork.
“I’ve got ewes in a field down Friendless Lane that are due to lamb any day now,” said another local farmer, who didn’t wish to be named.
“It’s a horrendous situation and it’s been going on for the last five days.”
© Louise Impey
Police car rammed
Police advice is not to approach the site, after one police car was rammed and three other vehicles were damaged, but no arrests were made.
After a visit from the local MP Victoria Collins and a continued police presence, a court hearing has been scheduled for next week.
Another local farmer pointed out that such blatant flaunting of the law was very difficult for the wider community.
“Stop orders have been ignored and our safety has been threatened,” he said. “It’s outrageous – we have to get permission before we can put up a shed or farm building – this activity it completely illegal.
“We’re pleased that the local authorities responded, but they were a bit slow to act.”
Hertfordshire Police confirmed its presence in the village, but stressed that it has no enforcement powers to prevent access to the land or building work taking place.