Dale Farm fate to be announced on Friday (From Echo)

Dale Farm fate to be announced on Friday

3:11pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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THE fate of Europe's biggest illegal traveller site will be revealed on Friday.

High Court judge Mr Justice Andrew Collins will announce his long-awaited ruling over the evictions of hundreds of travellers from Dale Farm, Crays Hill and Hovefields, Wickford.

It is believed the court delayed the decision until after this month's local elections.

Meanwhile, the Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, bishop of Brentwood, and Rt Rev John Gladwin, the Bishop of Chelmsford are expected to visit the unauthorised "St Christopher's" community centre at Dale Farm also on Friday.

Father John Glenn, of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, London Road, Wickford, blessed the building, which doubles up as a chapel, at Saturday's opening attended by the Equality and Human Rights Comm- ission.

The row over why a £12,000 Government grant was released by Essex County Council for the project continues to escalate.

Danny Nandanwar, Bas- ildon Labour councillor, is a trustee of Essex Racial Equality Council, which sponsored the project, yet was not informed of it.

Mr Nandanwar said: "I am concerned with strategy rather than the day-to-day running, but they are aware I am on the planning committee and should have alerted me. I would have advised them to try to get permission or look at alternatives."

John Dornan, Tory councillor, who lives in Oak Avenue, Crays Hill, has health and safety concerns.

He said: "In aerial pictures there was a small caravan wedged between the building and another caravan with a gas bottle. After the fire at the site, you have to be concerned for the safety of any children using the centre."

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