Lawrences Lane development court hearing adjourned
Development on land at the end of Lawrences Lane in Thatcham cannot continue as a court injunction remains in place.
The injunction is still in force for the land at the end of Lawrences Lane after a court hearing was adjourned on Tuesday.
The case will now be heard on Monday, September 27, so the injunction will still apply until then.
A retrospective planning application for the former stables where unauthorised development was started last month will be discussed between the two parties and the court can either continue the injunction, vary its terms or dispense with it altogether.
West Berkshire Council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Newbury Speen) said: "It was very quiet over the weekend so that injunction is doing what it is supposed to do."
Agent Ruston Planning said the developer wishes to create seven traveller pitches comprising of seven static caravans, seven day rooms, seven touring caravans and associated works on the land on the south-west side of Lawrences Lane.
Ward councillor Lee Dillon (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East) said: “It was what I was expecting to happen.
“We are bound to consider every application on its merit.”
Last Wednesday, in an urgent, out-of-hours hearing before Mrs Justice Stacey in the High Court of Justice, the injunction was granted, preventing any further unauthorised development activity.
This included any work in preparation for stationing caravans or mobile homes, whether it be for human habitation or residential occupation.
Mr Dillon said: “It is important for residents to see this is part of the planning process.”
A large number of workmen were spotted taking in machinery to begin construction work without planning permission last month.
Neighbouring residents raised concerns to the police and local authorities over noise disturbances and anti-social behaviour from the on-site workers.
The site has previously undergone planning applications for a change of use from a self-service livery stable to a single dwelling and another to form a live/work unit. Both applications were rejected.