Council to appeal Dale Farm decision (From Echo)

Council to appeal Dale Farm decision

11:51am Tuesday 20th May 2008 in

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BASILDON Council is to appeal the High Court ruling which quashed its planned evictions of illegal traveller site.

Council leader Malcolm Buckley said the earliest a Court of Appeal hearing could be expected was October.

The council will also take its eviction decisions again at a future development control committee.

Councillors will take into account traveller needs, following surveys of individuals living at Dale Farm, Crays Hill, and Hovefields, Wickford, homelessness issues, and the need for alternative sites, as recommended by Judge Mr Justice Andrew Collins.

Mr Buckley said: "Our legal advice is we can take a twin track approach. This means whichever outcome is successful first will be pursued while the other is dropped."

Basildon MP Angela Smith criticised the council for spending too much public money on costly legal battles.

Full story in tomorrow's Echo.