'Rethink the way you evict travellers'

From the archive, first published Monday 11th Feb 2008.

FORCED evictions could be a thing of the past, a top judge warned during day one of Basildon Council's High Court showdown with Irish travellers.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Collins began hearing appeals by 86 families at Dale Farm, Crays Hill, and 15 at Hovefields, Wickford, against the council's decision to boot them out of their illegally-built homes.

The judge warned that regardless of the outcome of the review he would call for a "rethink" on forced evictions.

The council has set aside £1.9million to clear both sites using traveller eviction specialist bailiffs Constant & Co, armed with heavy machinery.

Mr Justice Collins said he saw video of the firm evicting some of the travellers from another site called Twin Oaks, at Ridge, Hertfordshire and "it did not make pleasant viewing".

He said: "Regardless of the outcome, I will request a serious rethink to the manner in which evictions take place and if the use of this firm of bailiffs is appropriate."

Mr Justice Collins hinted the council's refusal to designate 81 caravan pitches under new recommendations, because it already has many more legal plots than neighbouring authorities, was wrong.

He said: "It is surely irrelevant. It has already provided sites, it has to be able to meet need that exists.

"In their situation they do not just want to live in Basildon, but need to because there is nowhere else to go."

The judge accepted Dale Farm would eventually be cleared and said the council was obliged to rehome them.

He pondered: "Is one solution to wait two to three years while sites are developed?"

Yesterday, Dale Farm outlined its case, with barrister Alex Offer arguing the council's reluctance to provide more sites was "direct discrimination".

Mr Offer said the council had done nothing to find alternative sites, while travellers had tried but to no avail.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is expected to give evidence for the travellers today, the council case begins tomorrow and it is due to close on Thursday.

A decision is not expected until Easter.

Legal aid hitch over Pitsea appeal

A BID by travellers to move to Pitsea has hit a snag, the judicial review heard.

Travellers have appealed to the Government about Basildon Council's refusal of planning permission for a site for ten families at Terminus Drive, Pitsea.

However, yesterday's hearing was told no date had been set because the travellers had been unable to secure legal aid to fund their planning inquiry.

The High Court case is being funded by legal aid.

Billericay MP John Baron said he hoped outcome of the current court case found in the council's favour.

He said: "Those who break planning regulations should not be rewarded with new local sites elsewhere.

"That is why I reject any suggestion of the travellers moving to Terminus Drive."

High Court protest

TRAVELLERS and campaigners held a demo outside the Royal Courts of Justice during yesterday's hearing.

Women and children from Dale Farm joined protesters calling for an end to evictions.

Dale Farm spokeswoman Kathleen McCarthy led the protest.

She said: "We hope this goes our way. We need somewhere to live until there are more sites and the children are terrified of being evicted."