A High Court injunction has been obtained to stop the unauthorised use of diggers at a wildlife site in Sawbridgeworth. The order temporarily blocks further development, the bringing of caravans on-site, and the occupation of the plot.
East Hertfordshire District Council, which became aware of the digging on Saturday morning, said work was ordered to stop at around 22:30 BST on Saturday. However, a BBC reporter at the scene on Sunday stated that work was continuing.
Hundreds of residents have gathered at the field off Sheering Mill Lane to protest against the work. Eyewitnesses described diggers tearing the field apart and truck-loads of material being delivered. Residents have stated the site is a wildlife hot spot, often visited by muntjacs, and acts as a floodplain.
Harlow Fencing, a company that supplied materials, said all deliveries to the site were stopped after concerns were raised on Saturday morning. The company stated it was led to believe the site was a legitimate new-build development and supplied materials in good faith.
Hertfordshire Police said it is aware of a dispute over the use of the field. This incident follows other unauthorised projects that have begun over Bank Holiday weekends, including an illegal camp in Flamstead in April and a field concreted over in Willows Green in May.