Unauthorised works - land off Sheering Mill Lane, Sawbridgeworth

Early on Saturday 29 August 2026, we became aware of works taking place on the land off Sheering Mill Lane, Sawbridgeworth, following reports from local residents. Heavy vehicles and construction equipment had entered the site. The land does not have planning permission for development.

Our Response

We served a Temporary Stop Notice shortly after 10.45am on Saturday 29 August. We also made an urgent application to the High Court for an injunction. 

The injunction was secured and served on site at around 10.30pm on Saturday 29 August. 

As work continued despite the injunction, the council made a further urgent application to the court for a hearing to consider whether the injunction had been breached and what further action could be taken.

An amended High Court injunction was granted and served at around 12:30am on Monday, 31 August. Police entered the site and all those who had unauthorised access, left the site peacefully.

The amended High Court injunction meant that anyone found carrying out activities prohibited by the injunction – including bringing caravans on site and occupying the land for carrying out development – could be arrested by the police. No arrests were necessary.
 

High Court Hearing: 15 September

The council returned to court on 15 September and successfully secured the continuation of the injunction to prevent further unauthorised development, including the powers of arrest attached to it.

Read the High Court order dated 15 September 2026 (PDF).

The council has also served an enforcement notice requiring the landowners to restore the site to its former condition.
 

This page was last updated: Tuesday 15 September at 15:55. 

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