The largest traveller dwelling in the UK is under threat following a decision by Basildon Council to evict all 220 caravans from the site.
On Tuesday 26 July during the eviction of an adjacent site, a bulldozer drove through a protected yard at Dale Farm causing extensive damage. Meanwhile notice had been served on the Dale Farm travellers with eviction due to take place on Sunday 31 July. At the last minute solicitor Keith Lomax successfully obtained a further injunction protecting several yards and 41 named persons from eviction.
When police turned up early on the morning of Monday 1 August they encountered a temporary barrier covered in copies of the High Court Injunction. They did not attempt to continue towards Dale Farm and the bailiffs did not show their faces. The residents are now awaiting the outcome of the judicial review.