Judgment in Dale Farm JRs delayed - ruling expected Friday at earliest

The High Court judge hearing the two remaining Dale Farm judicial reviews is not expected to deliver a judgment until Friday at the earliest, it has emerged.

Proceedings in the case finished on Tuesday at 1 pm. It was thought earlier in the week that Mr Justice Ouseley would give his judgment on Wednesday (5 October).

However, Basildon Council now says it hopes a decision will be made tomorrow (7 October).

Cllr Tony Ball, Leader of the Council, said: “We are satisfied with how our legal team has set out our case.  It is now in the hands of the judge, who will make a decision when he has considered all of the evidence before him.”

The two outstanding cases relate to an examination of the proportionality of taking direct action on a housing matter under planning legislation, and two planning applications for Traveller sites at different locations in the borough.

Basildon has previously acknowledged that it expects the Travellers to appeal should Mr Justice Ouseley rule in the authority’s favour.

See also: Basildon can clear vast majority of plots at Dale Farm, says High Court judge