Travellers in Uttlesford village can stay for three months

GYPSIES who have set up mobile homes on the outskirts of Little Hallingbury will be staying for at least three months. Despite Uttlesford District Council s efforts to begin the process of removing the people occupying private green belt land next to the

GYPSIES who have set up mobile homes on the outskirts of Little Hallingbury will be staying for at least three months.

Despite Uttlesford District Council's efforts to begin the process of removing the people occupying private green belt land next to the M11 motorway, delayed court hearings mean that the site currently has no chance of being cleared before February 2010.

The case has been adjourned so that the landowner, Terence Jones, can prepare a case for allowing the gypsies to stay.

In a statement the council said: "The council responded expeditiously to the breach of planning regulations that is taking place at Little Hallingbury. An initial injunction was acquired before anybody moved onto the land, then an application was made to the court to enforce this injunction just three days later.

"Subsequent adjournments have been agreed by the court to enable Mr Jones to respond to the initial temporary injunction and then to prepare his case as to why a permanent injunction should not be imposed. It should be born in mind that it can take time to work through the correct legal procedures."

Villagers in Little Hallingbury have made it known that the gypsies are not welcome in their area by inundating the council with complaints, but the travellers have already indicated that they want to stay because they like the surroundings.