A HIGH Court judge has issued an injunction to halt the build-up of travellers’ caravans on green belt land just a mile away from Dale Farm.

Basildon Council took action after discovering five caravans during a visit to the land in Hovefields Avenue, off the A127, near Wickford, last Thursday.

They secured an emergency one-week injunction the following day - but not before another three caravans had been moved onto the land.

On Friday, a judge at the High Court in London has confirmed the ban, which it is hoped will prevent any more caravans being installed.

Council barrister Richard Langham told Judge Karen Steyn QC that siting caravans on the green belt land was a breach of planning control.

Planners considered the breach to be “harmful”, which led them to obtaining the temporary injunction.

He told the court: “Unfortunately, they got eight caravans onto the site before the injunction was served, so reluctantly we have to accept that.

“It is clear that the development of the land had not finished by last Friday and the council has proper grounds for fearing that further development is planned.”

Judge Steyn then granted the injunction.

Mayor David Harrison, councillor for the Wickford Park ward, which covers Hovefields Avenue, said he had been contacted by worried residents living near the site.

He said: “The injunction is good news as it stops the process at this point and obviously I know the residents of Hovefields Avenue are worried about what’s been happening.

“I think the fact that the council has got this injunction supports what they want.

“However, they can’t do anything about the caravans on the land already.”

A Basildon Council spokesman was not available for comment over the weekend.