Cautious welcome for Waldens Farm judgement

11.52.12am GMT Thu 2nd Sep 2004

Cllr David McBride

Liberal Democrat councillor for Cray Valley East, Cllr David McBride, has welcomed a Count Court judge's decision to order the removal of a caravan from Waldens Farm in St Mary Cray, supporting an injunction obtained by Bromley Council.

Cllr McBride, who was in court on Tuesday to support local residents, said he hoped that the decision would send a clear message to others who might bring caravans onto the site that the law would be upheld. "The Council obtained an injunction to prevent caravans being brought on to the site and the judge has ordered removal of a caravan within seven days, saying it was a clear breach of the Court Order. He also mentioned the need to protect the Green Belt - that is a good sign considering judicial decisions elsewhere in the country have gone against local residents. However, this is very much a first step in a long process. I hope that further decisions will be as supportive"

Case notes

The cases as a whole have been adjourned until November, as late evidence had come in - mainly about the ownership of some of the plots. There is also an argument about what constitutes a caravan, as some of the defendants had brought a portakabin on site, claiming it did not breach the injunction which referred specifically to caravans. Bromley Council may well apply to widen the terms of the injunction.