Date for further hearing over Flamstead encampment set

Dacorum Borough Council (DBC) has confirmed a second hearing is scheduled for May 7, after an initial one took place at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 15.

The court dates were arranged after an encampment featuring mobile homes and caravans was erected on privately-owned land off Friendless Lane over the Easter Weekend (Friday, April 4, Monday, April 6).

This sparked swift action from DBC - who were yet to provide planning permission - and the police, as Flamstead residents opposed what they deemed to be an "unlawful" development.

The hearing took place at the Royal Courts of Justice. (Image: Contributed)

At the first hearing on April 15, the court confirmed the emergency injunction should remain in force - this was served to the Friendless Lane site on Sunday, April 5, prohibiting any unauthorised works or use of the land.

Under the injunction, static caravans and tourers could not be brought to the site and it could not be occupied either.

• Find out more about the legality of the Flamstead situation here

On April 15, the BBC reported that lawyers representing families living on the land said they had "little choice" but to move in due to a lack of "suitable" accommodation. The families were said to be seeking "retrospective planning permission" for the Flamstead encampment.

This is what the site looked like at 6.30pm on April 4. (Image: Submitted)

Barrister Alan Masters, who represented the adults living on the site, indicated that they wanted to alter or discharge the previous injunction.

A BBC reporter heard that Masters said his clients owned the land at the centre of the dispute and said the council had a "demonstrable need" for "gypsy sites".

It was also deemed that the gypsy and traveller pitches - as identified in the planning application submitted on April 3 - were classified as an "appropriate development on grey belt".

The barrister said about 20 adults and an estimated 40 children were living on the site.

The borough council obtained an "emergency injunction" to prohibit works. (Image: Submitted)

At the second hearing, the court will consider evidence from both sides and decide whether the injunction should continue in its current form or be varied. Until that hearing, the injunction remains fully in force.

Currently, Herts police are exploring a number of allegations in the Friendless Lane area of the village over the Easter Weekend.

Officers received reports from several parties involved in a dispute in the area, including suspected threatening behaviour, criminal damage, road traffic offences and illegal felling of trees.

MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Victoria Collins, slammed the development in a letter penned to the government, describing it as "illegal" and "heartbreaking".

The borough council has issued a question and answer section on its website to provide further information and clarity on the situation.

Residents who see further activity on the site before May 7 can report this to planning.enforcement@dacorum.gov.uk