Essex MP demands answers over unauthorised traveller site

The site in Willows Green, near Felsted, was 'taken over' after the district council offices closed on Friday for the holiday period.

Travellers reportedly started moving on to the site late on Friday evening, and work has continued throughout the bank holiday weekend, without permission.

The land has now reportedly been concreted over, as well as other changes which MP for Braintree James Cleverly described as permanent.

Mr Cleverly described the act as "a deliberate tactic" and has contacted the Housing Secretary "demanding answers".

The politician posted the letter to the department on social media earlier today.

It reads: "I am writing to raise concerns about unauthorised traveller developments and the ability of the current enforcement framework to respond effectively.

"This is a growing issue across the country. It has been seen again this weekend in my own constituency of Braintree.

"In Willows Green, construction activity began late on Friday evening, after council offices had closed, and has continued over the bank holiday weekend without planning consent. The works include concreting over land and other permanent changes to the site.

"The timing is clearly deliberate. Those involved are exploiting the gap in enforcement outside normal working hours.

"By the time the local authority is able to act, the land has already been materially alerted. In many cases, a retrospective planning application then follows, creating delay and placing further strain on councils and local communities.

"Resident in Willows Green are already facing significant disruption. They have seen similar cases elsewhere and have little confidence that the system will respond with the speed or certainty required.

"A 'build first, apply later' approach is taking hold, undermining confidence in the planning system and raising legitimate concerns about whether rules are applied consistently.

"The present framework is not equipped to deal with this behaviour. Enforcement powers are limited in practice, particularly over the weekends and bank holidays. Coordination between local authorities and the police remains inconsistent. The result is that action is too often reactive and delayed."

In the letter, Mr Cleverly states the Conservative party has set out a five-point plan to address these issues and restore a "single and fair" planning system.

This plan includes the removal of legal barriers that delay enforcement by leaving the ECHR and repealing the Human Rights Act, to reduce the scope for prolonged legal change.

The plan also includes ensuring that planning decision are based on land use and impact, rather than identity, to make sure rules are applied consistently in all cases.

Mr Cleverly proposes the amendment of Section 73A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to prohibit retrospective applications for the change of use of land to residential caravan sites, requiring permission to be secured in advance.

The conservative party plan also includes reinstating protections for the Green Belt and open countryside, to reverse recent changes introduced through the Housing Secretary's revisions to the National Party Policy Framework.

Finally, Mr Cleverly proposes a strengthening of enforcement in practice, through updated statutory guidance, aiming to ensure council and the police act together consistently and without delay.

Concluding the letter, Mr Cleverly added: "These measures are directly relevant to the case in Willows Green and to similar instances across the country.

"Please outline what steps you are taking to address cases of unauthorised development carried out outside normal enforcement hours, including over weekend and bank holidays. Please also set out whether you will adopt our measures to ensure that planning law is applied fairly and enforced effectively."

Uttlesford District Council's Felsted representatives were contacted for comment.