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.

We will continue to work closely with Herts Police and our other partners to monitor the site and prevent any further unauthorised works. Anyone with concerns about further activity at the site should report these to the police by calling 101.

We will shortly update our FAQs with further information about what happens next.
 

This page was last updated: Monday 31 August at 12:02pm. 

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