Residents of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, are reporting a climate of fear following their successful efforts to prevent an illegal traveller encampment and land grab over the recent Bank Holiday weekend. Hundreds of homeowners mobilized to block access to a wildlife haven that had been damaged by heavy machinery before caravans arrived.
Homeowners staged an overnight roadside protest to prevent trucks loaded with tarmac from entering the site and paving it over. Despite foiling the 'land grab,' local residents now express concerns for their safety and fear reprisals from those involved. Many are hesitant to speak publicly about the events due to fear of consequences, even after the site was vacated.
During the protest, residents claim they were subjected to verbal abuse and accused of racism. "The people doing the work were nasty. They were shouting and accusing the locals of being racist," one resident stated. "They have a complete disregard for everybody else and we don't know if they will come back."
Another local resident echoed these fears, saying, "It was horrible. We are scared they are going to return. I think they will grab even more land." The resident added that they no longer feel safe walking in the area, noting, "Nobody knows who they are."
While the individuals behind the land grab remain unclear, local residents believe the same travellers who bulldozed the wildlife haven may have also purchased the adjacent field, raising concerns about future developments. "The whole town is very nervous about the travellers coming back. Nobody wants those people here," a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous said. "Apparently the same people have bought some land on the other side of the road."
Aerial photographs revealed that hardstanding, concrete surfaces, and fencing had been installed before the travellers were compelled to leave. Two caravans were also found on the site, which was formerly marshland reportedly inhabited by muntjac deer and kingfishers. Videos posted on social media depicted work being carried out on the greenbelt land with heavy machinery.
This incident is part of a recurring pattern where travellers allegedly establish encampments over Bank Holiday weekends, a time when council offices are closed, potentially allowing for significant development before authorities can intervene. Developers often seek retrospective planning permission, leading to lengthy and costly processes for local authorities.
In Sawbridgeworth, however, the local council took swift action. Working on a Saturday afternoon, they secured a High Court injunction. Council officers posted notices ordering the travellers to leave, but work continued. As locals began to gather, reportedly around 500 by Sunday afternoon, construction persisted with workers attempting to secure the area with gates and fences. Dozens of police officers were present, but the road remained open, allowing deliveries and workers to arrive.
Hundreds of residents chose to camp out overnight, and police eventually sealed the road. Due to continued breaches of the initial injunction, the council worked through the night to obtain an amended High Court injunction, granting police the authority to arrest anyone carrying out prohibited work. This updated injunction was served around 12:30 a.m. on Monday.
Local resident Andy Gee expressed his appreciation for the community's and authorities' response, stating, "We've been really impressed by the people of Sawbridgeworth. Also the local councillors and the MP, to actually get an injunction over a bank holiday, it is unheard of." He anticipates that the travellers may seek retrospective planning permission.
One woman, living opposite the site, described feeling "sick" watching the diggers and expressed significant worry about the travellers returning and potential consequences. "I don't think they are going to give up. Whenever they have an opportunity they start constructing. They just run roughshod over everything," she said. "It's just soul destroying. I have lived in Sawbridgeworth for over 50 years and this land is part of my livelihood."
The injunction paperwork named two individuals, Darren Glover and Leonard Richards. However, it is understood that they no longer own the land. Mr. Glover stated he sold the land 18 months prior and is baffled as to why his name is on the injunction, calling it a "mistake." Mr. Richards is reportedly a landowner listed as living near Stansted Airport, though the property mentioned in the paperwork was reportedly demolished about two years ago.
On Monday morning, police entered the site and evicted approximately 20 individuals. Residents cheered as the workmen were removed, and many have maintained a vigil outside the development. A sign thanking everyone involved has been placed on a neighboring house.
Josh Dean, Labour MP for Hertford and Stortford, condemned the "flagrant disregard for the rules and the damage that has been done to our environment." He pledged to raise the issue with the Government and in Parliament to advocate for changes that would provide local authorities with greater powers to swiftly address such activities.
Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed that officers executed an amended High Court injunction on Monday morning, leading to the peaceful departure of all individuals found to be on the site without authorization. The injunction stipulated that anyone found carrying out prohibited activities, including bringing caravans onto the site or occupying the land for development, could be arrested, though no arrests were necessary.