New Legal Battle Launched By Dale Farm Travellers

Thu, 29 Sep 2011

Residents of the UK's largest illegal travellers' site have launched a fresh, three-pronged attack on moves to evict them

They appeared at the High Court in London with a battery of legal arguments contained in three separate applications for judicial review to stop the clearance of Dale Farm near Basildon, Essex.

The first challenge was brought by Irish traveller Mary Sheridan. Her counsel, Marc Willers, said the case had an "extensive history" but Ms Sheridan was not claiming she should be allowed to stay at Dale Farm "forever - or indeed for many years, or even a year".

Mr Willers said: "This claim is brought on this basis: there is no alternative, suitable accommodation at this point in time, and it would be disproportionate to be forced to leave in the absence of such accommodation."

The judge heard the other claims for judicial review would raise several other legal issues under human rights legislation and planning law .

Basildon Council has been battling for a decade to clear the 51 illegal plots of land which are home around 400 travellers.

The clearance of Dale Farm site was due to begin last week after legal proceedings were apparently exhausted after many years of court hearings.

But a new High Court injunction prevented bailiffs moving in while the courts grappled with fresh legal arguments.
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