Travellers who set up an illegal camp on a green belt site in Flamstead, Hertfordshire, have vacated the area following a High Court ruling. The group began occupying the site on Easter Sunday, April 2, 2026, and caused significant damage, including the installation of hardstand paving and the abandonment of vehicles. A local authority issued a deadline for their departure, which has now been met, but the site remains littered with rubbish and abandoned cars.
Deputy High Court Judge Christopher Kennedy ruled in favor of Dacorum Borough Council's legal action to clear the area, citing 'flagrant' breaches of interim orders. He ordered the travellers to pay £15,000 towards the council's £51,000 legal costs and to clear the site before leaving. Flamstead Parish Council chairman Billy Pither reported that while the last caravan has left, a few vehicles and a container remain unoccupied.
The judge described the site as 'a mess,' noting the presence of '6,000 tonnes of hardcore' that will require extensive removal efforts. Local officials, including Victoria Collins, MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, expressed relief that the site is now vacated, acknowledging the concerns of local residents. Dacorum Borough Council leader Sally Symington stated that the council will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with the parish council and residents.
The travellers had previously attempted to convert the agricultural land into a Gypsy and Traveller site, which would have included 14 pitches for mobile homes and caravans. This incident is part of a broader trend of 'land grabs' by traveller groups, which often involve rapid occupation of land followed by retrospective planning applications. Shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly highlighted the ongoing issue of illegal encampments and the challenges faced by local communities in addressing them.