High Court gives travellers one month to leave Flamstead site

The travellers argued that families with children were living on the site when a notice was served.

Lawyers representing the defendants argued that the land would regarded as “grey belt”, not green belt, and the travellers’ planning application had good prospects of success.

They also said travellers regarded their caravan as their home and said the cultural context had to be understood.

Lawyers representing the council said there had been no “occupation” of the site prior to the granting of an initial injunction.

They also said the stop notice and initial injunction had been breached – and complained about a “lack of candour” by defendants.

Kennedy said it was “not entirely clear” who owned the site.

The judge heard evidence that Martin Ward, who appeared to be the head of a traveller family, was the owner.

He added he had considered arguments about the welfare of children on the site and was told that Dacorum Borough Council had made accommodation offers.

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