Hertsmere Borough Council has been successful in securing new powers to take action over unauthorised traveller encampments after the High Court of Justice granted an injunction to protect council-owned sites.

The injunction, granted yesterday (Thursday, 1 November), will last for three months in the first instance and bans any encampment on 95 sites within Hertsmere, including public parks, car parks and green spaces, unless planning permission has been obtained from the council or granted by a Planning Inspector.

As well as covering residential uses, the injunction also bans the disposal of waste on all 95 sites.

Objections can be raised during this three-month period and once this ends, the council will apply to have the injunction extended for five years.

Since May 2018, there have been at least 16 unauthorised encampments on to Hertsmere Borough Council-owned land, many with large groups of between 50-75 people and 30-50 vehicles, mobile homes and caravans, as well as a number of dogs.

The court heard that human and animal excrement had been found following the encampments, along with domestic and industrial waste that had been dumped on the land, including building materials, glass and asbestos.

The injunction will enable the council to respond more effectively and prevent these encampments in the first place because anyone who deliberately breaches the injunction will face potential arrest, committal to prison and an unlimited fine.

The injunction application received support from Hertfordshire Constabulary.