High Court injunction blocks unauthorised encampments at 12 sites

The High Court issued the interim injunction last week (25 June) after hearing arguments from the council that there had been repeated incidents of unauthorised encampments on the sites, resulting in "considerable depositing of waste and reports of antisocial behaviour".

In its part 8 claim form, the council also noted that the encampments cause considerable disruption to local residents and lead to costly clean-ups once the site has been cleared.

Rushmoor made its application under section 187B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to restrain a breach of planning control.

As part of its application, the council included detailed witness statements with information on recent damage, noise complaints and antisocial behaviour associated with unauthorised encampments.

The injunction orders persons unknown to remove any caravans or mobile homes and to cease the storage of any vehicles, caravans, and residential paraphernalia on the twelve sites, which are dotted across Aldershot and Farnborough.

The interim injunction came into effect on Wednesday, 26 June, and will run until 23 September.

Councillor Christine Guinness, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Services at Rushmoor Borough Council, said: "I'm pleased that we have been able to take such immediate action to tackle unauthorised encampments in our borough.

"This injunction will help us to protect and prevent future damage to council and public land and enable the council and our partners to take prompt legal action."

Adam Carey