The order follows swift action by East Herts Council and its partners over the August bank holiday weekend, including the serving of a Temporary Stop Notice and successful applications for two emergency injunctions. These measures brought development activity to a halt early on Monday, 31 August.
At today’s hearing, the court ruled that the injunction should remain in force, including the powers of arrest attached to it, to prevent any further unauthorised activity on the land. The injunction will therefore remain in place pending a trial, unless the court varies it following an application by the defendants.
Four individuals were added as named defendants, while two others were removed from the order. Although removed as named defendants, those two individuals are aware of the injunction and could still face legal consequences if they take part in, assist or encourage a breach of it. None of the defendants attended the hearing.
The council has also served an enforcement notice requiring the landowners to restore the site to its former condition.
Councillor Maura Connolly, Executive Member for Planning and Growth at East Herts Council, said: “We welcome today’s decision to continue the injunction, including the powers of arrest attached to it, to prevent any further unauthorised activity on the land.
“We know these events have caused considerable concern within the local community, and I would like to thank residents for their vigilance and cooperation. I would also like to thank the council officers, local ward councillors, Sawbridgeworth Town Council, the police and our legal teams, who all worked quickly to help bring the activity on the site to a halt.
“Our work does not end with today’s decision. We have served an enforcement notice requiring the landowners to restore the site and will continue to monitor it closely.”
A copy of the court order will be published on the council’s website once it is available.