TRAVELLERS alleged to have breached a planning injunction by adding extra plots to an illegal site will face a High Court hearing next month.

Basildon Council obtained the injunction from the court in October 2016 to stop any more caravans being brought onto land off Hovefields Avenue, Wickford.

It relates to work on land at Silva Lodge Kennels

It comes as a separate legal issue - dubbed Dale Farm Mark II - is currently in force, with residents telling how they watched in horror as 30 large trucks arrived earlier this month to dump 600 tonnes of hardcore.

Nearly two-thirds of the five acre field was covered in asphalt, prompting fears up to 50 new families could be moving onto the land.

It prompted Basildon Council to launch legal action, with bailiffs serving warning notices on two people last week.

A High Court hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 5, with a time yet to be confirmed.

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, said: “There has been a lot of frustration on all sides about the council not doing enough. We can’t do it overnight and we have been watching the site for a year now.

“When the first infringement happened, we sprung immediately into action – this is us dealing with the issues.

“Apologies we can’t do it quicker but we have to follow the legal process and this takes time but I promise I won’t stop at anything to resolve this issue.

“I hope residents now see that we have been taking action. By taking this case to court, Basildon Council is demonstrating that it is determined to properly enforce planning law. We shall also vigorously defend our position at the planning inquiry.”

“We realise people are living with misery and we are trying to deal with it as quickly as we can.”

Appeals have been lodged against enforcement notices served in relation to the alleged planning breaches.

The notices, requiring removal of the unpermitted works, are suspended until the appeals are determined at a Planning Inspectorate inquiry set to commence on Tuesday, September 5.

David Harrison, leader of the Wickford Independents, said: “It is about time too! If the injunction was submitted in October, the council appears to have moved very slowly. Why didn’t they seek an injunction for the breaches earlier?

“It has been going on for months and should have been sorted before now.”