BAILIFFS have demolished the remains of an illegally-built traveller home, more than two years after a botched first attempt.

A heavy digger smashed up an empty building and ripped up a hardstanding at the home called Dunroamin in Hovefields Drive, Wickford.

Dunroamin is owned by the O’Brien family, who moved off before the 2006 demolition began, into a rented home in Long Riding, Basildon.

They were still keeping horses on the plot. These were moved off as the clearance started yesterday morning.

Basildon Council can’t touch the rest of the illegal plots, around 15 of them, at Hovefields, because of a High Court injunction preventing further evictions until a Court of Appeal hearing next month.

The council started demolishing Dunroamin in October 2006, but a paperwork blunder meant not all the buildings could legally be removed.

The decision to hire bailiffs Constant and Co to finish the job was taken in September, but the council is refusing to release the cost which is expected to run into thousands.

Malcolm Buckley said he could still justify the action being taken ahead of next month’s appeal.

He said: “It will send out a clear message that we will take action, whenever legally able, to enforce compliance with green belt and planning regulations. We had come under criticism from residents for not removing this particular plot sooner.”

Two police officers and two police community support officers were on standby as four bailiffs with a digger and lorries to clear the debris got to work from 10am until 2pm.