Buckinghamshire Council Orders Dismantling of Illegal Traveller Site

Buckinghamshire Council has ordered the immediate dismantling of an illegal traveller camp built on green belt land in Ashley Green. The decision came after councillors denied a retrospective planning permission application for the site, which was established over a long weekend in defiance of a High Court injunction.

Workmen began laying hardstanding for caravans on the land at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, shortly after planning enforcement officers had left for the bank holiday weekend. A temporary stop notice issued the following day was ignored, leading the council to secure a High Court injunction to halt further development and occupation.

The applicant, Keith O'Donoghue, had previously sought permission for two pitches, each intended for a mobile home, a touring caravan, and a day room. An earlier application for a similar development was rejected in 2024.

Despite the unauthorized nature of the construction, council planning officers had initially recommended granting retrospective permission, citing a "shortfall in the supply of gypsy and traveller pitches in Buckinghamshire." They also argued that policy changes introduced by former Housing Secretary Angela Rayner created a "material change" in the legislative context, potentially allowing for the classification of the green belt land as 'grey belt' if previously developed or of lesser value under the National Planning Policy Framework.

However, local residents expressed concerns about the development, reporting that it could encourage more illegal sites and alleging instances of threats and intimidation from those residing at the camp. Villagers insisted that approving the illegal site would lead to a surge in unauthorized developments.

Conservative councillor Martin Tett emphasized that under government policy, work commencing without permission should carry significant weight when considering retrospective applications. The development was characterized as part of a trend where unauthorized constructions are initiated over holiday weekends to circumvent enforcement action, with subsequent applications for retrospective permission.

Following the council's decision to refuse the application, the Conservative party called for new legislation to prohibit retrospective planning permission for any traveller site built without authorization. Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Local Government and Communities, Katie Lam, stated, "Nobody should be able to flout the rules just because they belong to a particular group." Lam added, "Conservatives would ban retrospective planning permission for unauthorised traveller sites, ending the scandal of asking forgiveness rather than permission."

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Green also reported that her constituents had complained of intimidation and "threats of violence" from individuals at the site. Ashley Green Parish Council described the illegal development as having caused "immense distress" to villagers.

Buckinghamshire Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, Peter Strachan, had previously stated that the authority would "use the full extent of the law to protect our area from harmful unauthorised development." He noted the diligent work of officers throughout the bank holiday period to gather evidence, issue enforcement notices, and secure an injunction within hours, asserting that "People cannot simply ignore planning rules because it suits them."

Mr. O'Donoghue has the right to appeal the decision before any enforcement action is taken to clear the site. Buckinghamshire Council has been contacted for comment.