Lawrences Lane: Continued injunction granted to prevent further development
A further injunction has been granted preventing any more unauthorised development at Lawrences Lane in Thatcham.
West Berkshire Council was granted a continuation of the interim junction by High Court judge Margaret Obi on Wednesday morning.
The injunction states that no residential occupation is permitted beyond the already occupied five plots, that no further portable structures or waste/hardcore material can be brought on to the land, and no further works can be undertaken at the site.
The defendants are also required to appeal the council’s decision to refuse their planning application to develop the site by February 8, 2022, otherwise they will be required to leave the land by April 8, 2022.
The defendants must also remove their caravans from the land within two months of the final determination of an appeal on the planning application.
The orders are backed up by a penal notice, meaning any breach of the terms could amount to a contempt of court, punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or the seizure of assets.
The council’s executive member for planning, transport and countryside Richard Somner (Con, Tilehurst South and Holybrook) said: “Following on from the previous injunction set in place since the summer, this order is the next big step to ensure that no further unauthorised planning development will take place on the land at Lawrences Lane.
“If the defendants are not successful at appeal, it will also secure the termination of residential occupation of the land within two months of the closure of the appeal.
“The council’s actions to date have successfully limited the extent and impact of the unauthorised development at the site such as no more day rooms, no more hardstandings and stopping further caravans on site.
“Although the matter hasn’t been concluded, the council has moved swiftly.
“The planning appeal process will now guide the next steps, the timescales of which will be informed by the Planning Inspectorate.”
The council added it will continue to monitor activity at the site.
