Twitter Facebook RSS FEEDS

Amnesty calls for traveller eviction to stop

Thursday, 25 August 2011 2:33 PM

Amnesty International has called on a local authority to stop the eviction of up to 400 travellers in Essex.

The 86 families of Irish travellers living at Dale Farm were given notice to leave the site by 31 August by Basildon Council, which has warned it will cut off water and electricity supplies after that date.

Despite the land being owned by traveller, Romani and Gypsy communities, families have been denied repeated requests to build residential properties there because of local zoning restrictions, Amnesty said.

The eviction notice by Basildon Council says the process is taking place because of “unauthorised developments”.

“Up to 400 people could be left homeless as a result of the forced eviction which would require them to vacate their plots without an authorised site to which they can take their caravans,” said Jezerca Tigani, deputy director for Europe and Central Asia Programme at Amnesty International.

“The authorities must ensure that their actions do not break international law. They should instead talk to the residents of Dale Farm and reach a negotiated solution.”

Basildon Council claims that since 2001 travellers have breached planning law by setting up homes in caravans, developing hard standings and road access across the site. There are now 51 illegal pitches involving up to 240 people on the site, it said.

Next to the illegal Dale Farm site there is an authorised travellers' site known as Oak Lane, which is legal and which gained planning permission between 1992 and 1996. The Oak Lane site provides 34 legal pitches, the council added.

Want to be the first to know when we break a story? Follow @AboutProperty on Twitter and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter. 

Related stories

Caravan in field

Travellers bid for support ahead of eviction date

Basildon Council says work to clear illegal Dale Farm site will start from September 19.

 Social housing in Wandsworth

Council serves first riot-related eviction notice

Wandsworth has initiated eviction proceedings against a woman whose son appeared in court because of his alleged role in London's riots.
English town shot from above

Quick eviction plans unveiled

Housing Minister Grant Shapps plans to speed up the process for evicting troublesome tenants from social housing.

 Housing minister Grant Shapps

Shapps backs councils evicting looting tenants

The housing minister has expressed his support for Greenwich Council's decision to evict any tenants who participated in the riots.
Aston Martin Vantage

Luxury cars seized in £90k rent arrears case

A landlady has recouped huge debts owed by her non-paying tenant after his belongings - including an Aston Martin - were confiscated.

 CGI of the London Olympic Village.

Tenants face Olympic eviction

Rogue landlords may evict a "large number" of tenants as a result of the Olympics, according to Shelter.
Tower block in London

A2Dominion Housing offers sub-letters amnesty

A social housing organisation is offering a temporary amnesty to tenancy cheats who unlawfully sublet properties in London.

 Abolition of stamp duty and reform of council tax tops list of recommendations from Mirrlees Review. Image: Thinkstock

Review calls for property tax shake-up

Abolition of stamp duty and reform of council tax tops list of recommendations from Mirrlees Review.

Many complaints are about letting agents who are not registered for independent dispute resolution. Image:Thinkstock

Ombudsman calls for action on rogue letting agents

Independent dispute resolution service sees 26 per cent rise in complaints but one in four agents not registered.

Row of houses in London

Shelter calls for more action on empty homes

Shelter said councils should do more to combat the ‘disgraceful waste’ of empty homes while thousands wait on housing lists.

Search property

Headlines

Directory

Alaris

Alaris Logo
Alaris specialise in quality Bathrooms and Kitchens along with many other unique products for your home. The range of kitchens, kitchen worktops and bathrooms is extensive and the highest quality so you are sure to find what you want. New bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, taps, showers and cabinets are added regularly.

Bathrooms365

Bathrooms365 Logo
Bathroom365 supply all areas of your new bathroom - leading-edge designed bathroom suites, stylish bathroom taps and showers, all styles and forms of shower enclosures and a vast collection of bathroom furniture.

Fitmykitchen

Fitmykitchen Logo
Fitmykitchen are specialist suppliers of kitchen appliances, sink taps, waste bins and furniture. So whatever you want from kitchen sink taps to waste bins look no further than fitmykitchen, UK, the specialist suppliers of kitchen appliances, stainless steel sink taps, waste bins and kitchen furniture.

MyStampDuty

MyStampDuty Logo
We help people buying property all over the UK to minimise Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential and commercial property. If you are looking at purchasing a new home or business premises over £500,000, contact us today by completing the form on the right

Oak Furniture Land

Oak Furniture Land Logo
For hardwood furniture, including Solid Oak, Mango, Mahogany, Sheesham, Acacia, Ash and Birch, look no further than Oak Furniture Land.

Rated People

Rated People Logo
Whatever type of home improvement or garden remodelling project you have, Rated People can help you to identify the right tradesmen for the job in a way that is quick, easy, convenient and, as it is based on real-life recommendations, trustworthy.

Residential Land

Residential Land Logo
If you are looking for short or long term rentals in Central London, Residential Land have a portfolio of over 1200 flats and houses in the best postcodes across the Capital.

Simply Bedrooms

Simply Bedrooms Logo
Simply Bedrooms, a part of Sleepwell Bedrooms Ltd, supplying quality beds, wardrobes, sliding door wardrobes and bedroom furniture at low prices and great service, London and Home Counties Specialists.

Door Handles UK

Door Handles UK Logo
Door Handles UK is the UK's largest online range of Door Handle accessories, Door Hinges, Locks and Latches and so much more and all at genuine internet prices. We have a wide range of Chrome, Brass and Glass Crystal Mortice door knobs in both traditional and contemporary designs, whatever your taste and budget you will find a design to suit.

Woodlands Furniture

Woodlands Furniture Logo
We are an established family business situated in rural Herefordshire specialising in beautiful handcrafted classic reproduction furniture. Our comprehensive ranges are readily available from stock.

WowBBQ

WowBBQ Logo
Welcome to the World of Weber. We are the largest independent online Weber BBQ retailer in the United Kingdom. WOWbbq.co.uk is a Weber Partner Store and can give you the best advice for all your Weber BBQ needs.

Join our directory aboutproperty.co.uk

Twitter

Join the conversation at #aboutproperty

Directory articles

A guide to finding the right kitchen sink

When redesigning a kitchen or giving the room a makeover, it is important not to forget about the less obvious aspects of the space. Kitchen sinks are an essential fitting, but often overlooked, despite the fact there is a wide choice of styles available.

Useful tips to help find a flat in London

Looking for flats in London can be a frustrating process, given the capital's size, demand for rental accommodation and varying prices. It is vital, therefore, that you do plenty of research and act quickly to ensure you get the place that you want.

What do you need to consider when buying a mattress?

If you looking for a new mattress, you need to get the decision right, as getting it wrong could impact on your overall health and wellbeing. As well as comfort and size, you also need to consider other points, such as any health issues you may have.