Key Points
- Havering Council is responding to concerns about alleged travellers trying to establish a large encampment on green belt land in Noak Hill.
- Multiple reports were made about heavy machinery, including lorries and diggers, appearing at a field near the junction of Paternoster Row and Church Road.
- The machinery was reportedly used to level the land overnight, potentially to accommodate nearly 80 caravans.
- The council has launched an investigation and aims to serve a planning enforcement notice and a stop notice to halt any further activity.
- Councillor Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council, expressed disappointment and noted a court injunction exists against unlawful encampments on Havering land but does not apply to this private site.
- Cleanup of roads impacted by the machinery is also being considered by the council.
What Has Prompted Havering Council’s Action?
As reported by the Romford Recorder, Havering Council is actively trying to prevent an alleged traveller group from establishing an encampment on green belt land in Noak Hill. The alarm was raised after several residents contacted the Recorder following sightings on Saturday, November 29. Large lorries, diggers, and machinery were seen at a field opposite the junction of Paternoster Row and Church Road. These vehicles appeared overnight and caused road blockages by Sunday morning, November 30.
Concerned locals feared the travellers intended to create an unofficial encampment capable of holding up to 80 caravans, without obtaining the necessary planning permissions. It was reported that the machinery was being employed to level the land, presumably to facilitate the encampment setup.
What Is Havering Council’s Official Response?
Councillor Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council, stated to the Romford Recorder:
“Cabinet is disappointed and shocked that this has taken place on private land.”
He clarified that although the council has a court injunction against unlawful encampments on Havering-owned land, this particular site is privately owned and thus not covered by that injunction.
Nevertheless, the council is responding by investigating the situation through the council’s planning enforcement team. Councillor Morgon noted:
“Once we’ve looked into the matter, we can then decide how best to respond. It is very likely that a planning enforcement notice and stop notice will be served.”
He also added that the council is prepared to handle cleaning up any mess the operation may have created on the surrounding roads.
How Will the Council Enforce Its Plans?
The council’s planning enforcement team is actively investigating the incident to confirm the extent of the alleged illegal activity. If evidence supports unlawful land use or development, enforcement measures such as a planning enforcement notice and a stop notice will be issued to cease all work on the site immediately.
This level of enforcement indicates the council’s determination to uphold local planning laws and protect the integrity of green belt land from unauthorised encroachments.
What Are the Residents Saying?
While no direct quotes from residents were made public, the numerous calls received by the Romford Recorder from concerned locals illustrate significant community worry about the potential encampment and its impact on traffic and the local environment. The overnight arrival of heavy vehicles and machinery blocking public roads aggravated these concerns.
The community’s vigilance prompted the Council’s quick reaction to the developing situation, showcasing active local engagement in land use matters.
Why Is This Issue Controversial?
Encampments like the one alleged to be forming in Noak Hill often stir tension between traveller communities and local authorities or residents. Planning permission and land use regulations are serious concerns, especially when green belt land is at risk, as these areas are protected to prevent urban sprawl and maintain local ecology.
The council’s existing injunction against unlawful encampments on its land shows a history of proactive measures in Havering. However, the limitation of this injunction only to council land highlights legal and jurisdictional challenges when private landowners and unregulated groups are involved.
What Is the Next Step for Havering Council and the Traveller Group?
Havering Council will proceed with their probe and likely serve legal notices to halt any further development of the site. The council will also monitor the site closely to prevent the encampment from becoming established. Cleanup efforts on the affected roads will be coordinated to clear any debris or disruption caused by the vehicles and machinery.
No public statements have been made yet by the group alleged to be behind the encampment efforts. The dispute will likely continue to attract local media and community attention as legal and planning processes unfold.
