Decision in Dalewood Gardens case

12.39.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 1st Mar 2006

Mr Justice Burton ruled in the Royal Courts of Justice today in favour of the residents of Dalewood Gardens on all issues. However the Travellers asked for leave to appeal and this was granted providing it was done within 10 days. As a result the Travellers can remain illegally encamped at Dalewood Gardens for this time.

Commenting after the case Northgate Councillors Gordon & Linda Seekings, who have both been in the Court during parts of the hearing said "We are both bitterly disappointed that the Borough Council has not been given immediate repossession of the site. Whist we accept that there should be a right of appeal it does not detract from the fact that this case took too many months to be heard in the first place."

Crawley Borough Council after the Court decision have arranged for the following letter to be hand delivered to every house in Dalewood Gardens from Jim Redwood. Jim Redwood is one of the most Senior Officers on Crawley Borough Council and has overall responsibility for Housing, Planning, Environmental & Travellers Issues within Crawley.

Letter to Dalewood Gardens residents

Dear Resident

High Court ruling

We heard today that the High Court has decided the Council has acted legally in its efforts to evict Travellers from Dalewood Gardens and dismissed the Travellers' application for Judicial Review.

The Travellers applied to the trial Judge for leave to appeal and this was refused. However, the Travellers have said they intend to appeal to the Court of Appeal and the Judge has given them a further 10 days to do that. We contested this vigorously but the Judge has made his decision.

We will contest any appeal and believe we will be successful.

As soon as we are able, we will start proceedings in the County Court for a new possession order. When this is granted, the site vacated and cleared we will put temporary defences in place to prevent as far as possible any further incursion.

We have already identified the land as a priority for permanent site security improvements and this work is likely to take place in April.

I know you will be pleased by the judgement and unhappy at the prospect of further delay but I do thank you for your patience.

We will do our best to let you know of any developments as soon as possible.

In the meantime if you have any further questions or concerns please contact John Dale on 438412.

Yours sincerely

J Redwood

Director

Environment & Housing