Funding To Clear Illegal Traveller Site Fully Secured

1 July 2011, 07:38 | Updated: 1 July 2011, 07:43

Councils at Basildon council have agreed to set aside £1.2 million to help towards policing costs of clearing Dale Farm.

The contribution for police costs will only be paid if total costs exceed £5.5m.

Tony Ball, Leader of Basildon Council, said: “The Council agreed its funding contribution towards the site clearance in
March 2011.

“This contribution to Essex Police would enable the site clearance operation to proceed and breaches of planning control to be addressed, demonstrating the Council’s ongoing commitment to its green belt policy and the firm line that it takes on enforcing planning legislation.

“Having negotiated so hard to get the Government to recognise the scale and impact of this operation on Basildon and Essex residents it would be unacceptable for the Council to fail its residents by not agreeing to make this additional contribution.”

“Obviously, enforcement action is a last resort and I hope the travellers will leave peacefully before this becomes necessary.”

It means an eviction notice can now be served for families illegally camped at Crays Hill to leave peacefully or be forced out.