Enraged villagers have confronted Uttlesford District Council over the continued presence of an unauthorized traveller site in Willows Green, Essex, which has remained for four months. Residents argue the council's response contrasts sharply with swift action taken at another illegal site 17 miles away in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.
Approximately 60 residents gathered outside the council offices on Thursday evening, voicing concerns that the site, established over the May bank holiday weekend, has been allowed to persist despite the dumping of roughly 50 loads of hardcore onto the agricultural land without consent. The villagers also expressed frustration that the council had not intervened sooner.
"That bit of land was beautiful. It's agricultural land and it's been illegally built on," said Willows Green resident Tracy Williams, 43, who spoke with councillors on behalf of the community. "They went on the Friday night. There was maybe 50 trucks of hardcore. They bussed in workers. It went on over the whole bank holiday weekend, four days. They were working hard, day and night. The council was doing nothing."
Williams described how travellers broke a gate chain and tore out a section of hedge to access the site, setting up more than a dozen pitches. Residents in the area have reported the constant sound of generators and expressed uncertainty about sewage and water supply arrangements.
In contrast, residents pointed to the rapid response by East Herts District Council concerning an illegal development in Sawbridgeworth. Hardcore was dumped, and fencing and pitches were established, but authorities pursued court and police action, resulting in the site being cleared by the end of the weekend. "In Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire Council acted swiftly, giving residents the decisive, coordinated response expected when unauthorised development risks irreversible harm," stated Willows Green resident Andrew Madders. "It raises a simple question for Willows Green. Why was our experience so different?"
Uttlesford District Council officials stated at the meeting that they were bound by High Court proceedings and could not disclose details, citing a pending court action for contempt of court against the developers. Councillor Neil Gregory, chair of the meeting, explained that the matter was under the High Court's jurisdiction, leading to guarded responses. Councillor John Evans, responsible for planning, echoed this, stating the need for discretion for "obvious reasons."
Residents learned that Uttlesford District Council had applied for a High Court injunction to stop the Willows Green site, but it was reportedly ignored. Councillors suggested that the situation in Sawbridgeworth differed because that protest involved allegations of racism and threats of violence, which a judge reportedly found sufficient grounds for greater police powers to halt the development. "The judge was satisfied in Sawbridgeworth that there was a risk of potential physical harm to individuals and that included racial and stereotypical abuse and threats of violence," Councillor Evans explained.
Sherrie Smith, founder of Gateways Essex, an organization representing gypsies and travellers on planning issues, commented that the families involved felt unfairly treated. She argued that local authorities nationwide are failing to meet their legal obligations to provide traveler sites. "Uttlesford District Council has a legal duty to deliver 19 pitches to the [traveller] families by 2028 and they're not doing that," Smith said. "This is being repeated across the country. I feel sorry for the residents. I do not endorse this kind of planning at all. There should not be retrospective planning applications. Local authorities should do what they're supposed to do."
A statement on behalf of the residents of the traveller site indicated that a valid planning application is currently under review and they believe the planning process should be allowed to proceed. The statement emphasized the need to protect the privacy and safety of their families and children while the application is considered. "This is not about attacking or criticising the local community. It is about protecting the privacy, safety and wellbeing of our families and children while a legitimate planning application is being properly considered," the statement read.
The council has scheduled an extraordinary meeting within seven days to discuss the matter further.
