Dorset Council secures court injunction over authorised traveller site
The camp at Three Legged Cross has to be restored by its owners
Dorset Council's secured a court injunction against an unauthorised private Gypsy and Traveller caravan site at Three Legged Cross.
The occupiers – the Ward family – have been ordered to restore the site at Broadmead Road, which the Council say will 'safeguard the character of the local area and uphold planning regulations'.
Concerns were first raised in January 2021, when the Planning Enforcement team received a report from the public about suspicious activity on the land.
The site was found to have caravans in storage, large areas of hardstanding created with waste materials, and boundary fencing erected - all without planning permission.
A Temporary Stop Notice was quickly served in January 2021.
In July 2021, Dorset Council received an application from the Ward family to change the land to a private Gypsy and Traveller caravan site comprising four mobile homes, four touring caravans, associated hardstanding, and installation of septic tank.
However, this wasn’t progressed as the required outstanding information was never submitted to the Council’s Planning team by the family.
Further Planning Enforcement Notices were issued in August 2021, which were followed by an appeal from the Ward family in September that year.
All the appeals were finally dismissed in March 2024.
A final injunction against the Ward family has been secured at Bournemouth County Court.
There's now a three month deadline to remove the caravans, and six months to restore the land.
Failure to comply with the orders could result in prosecution or even imprisonment for contempt of court.
Cllr. Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, said:
“This has been a long and challenging case for Dorset Council and our residents. We are committed to protecting our communities and ensuring our planning system is fair and respected by all. Unauthorised developments will not be tolerated.
“This case should serve as a stark warning: disregarding planning regulations can lead to lengthy legal battles and serious consequences.”