Council wins injunction over occupation following unlawful land clearance

Runnymede Borough Council has won an extended injunction preventing further development on farmland in Chertsey which has been occupied by nearly 40 caravans.

A court order was originally granted for Adas Farm on 5 May after trees and vegetation were found to have been cleared from the 1.3 hectare green belt site.

The new injunction puts anyone who stays on the site “in contempt of the latest order”, the council said.

Runnymede has gathered evidence of buildings having been erected on the site, along with septic tanks and hard surfacing material being laid.

Chief executive Paul Turrell said: “We are very aware of the concerns within the local community because of the environmental impact as a result of this unlawful land clearance.

Turrell said further legal action would be pursued against those concerned.

Mark Smulian