19/09/2011

Travellers At Dale Farm Face Eviction

Bailiffs are preparing work to clear 51 unauthorised pitches at Dale Farm travellers site in Essex.

12 families have left the site, however up to 400 people are believed to be still living there.

Travellers have built walls and fences at the site in protest.

Leader of Basildon Council Tony Ball said: "The first thing to say is that the Council has spent ten years trying to avoid a forced clearance. We have always sought to persuade the travellers' to move on, and to help them with that process.

"However, the legal process has, after a decade, finally been exhausted and the Council now has the job of upholding the law."

Half of the six-acre site, which has planning consent, will remain.

Mr Ball said: "We have informed the travellers that the site clearance will begin week commencing 19 September. We now have a difficult operation to carry out in a safe and lawful way.

"In the meantime I am making a final appeal to the residents to leave Dale Farm peacefully. I would also ask any visitors to the site or anyone who truly has the travellers' interests at heart to urge them to do this as well."

(CD/GK)


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17 May 2012
Court Rules Broadcaster Does Not Have To Give Police Footage Of Dale Farm Eviction
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