The High Court is to be the scene of a battle which could have long-term implications for the green belt, it was revealed today.
Basildon Council is to take legal action in a bid to overturn a ruling that travellers can stay on a greenfield site at Sadlers Farm, in Bowers Gifford.
The ruling was made by the Secretary of State for the Environment and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in response to an appeal by the families of travellers who have set up home there.
They appealed against an enforcement notice issued by Basildon Council to try to move them off the site and restore it to its original state.
The travellers moved onto the site, which is just west of the Sadlers Farm roundabout between the A13 and the B1464, in March of this year.
Without applying for planning permission, they laid hardcore built an earth bank around the edge of the site and moved in caravans with the intention of making it a permanent home.
Now Basildon Council is to try to get Mr Prescott's decision overturned by taking the case to the High Court.
Published Tuesday, December 17, 2002
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