Essex villagers protest unauthorised traveller site

Residents of Willows Green, near Felsted, Essex, staged a protest outside Uttlesford District Council offices to demand action against an unauthorised traveller site. The site was established over the May bank holiday weekend when approximately 50 loads of hardcore were dumped onto agricultural land without consent.

Protesters expressed frustration that the site has remained occupied for four months without eviction. Local representatives stated that the council failed to intervene because there were no reports of racism or threats of violence during the initial incursion. This lack of action has drawn comparisons to East Herts District Council, which reportedly used court and police intervention to swiftly prevent an illegal development in Sawbridgeworth from being occupied.