Police called to travellers site (From Bucks Free Press)

Police called to travellers site

12:25pm Thursday 11th June 2009 in Search By Simon Farr

WORRIED Princes Risborough residents called in police after the Hemley Hill travellers were accused of breaking a High Court injunction after they brought a mobile home onto the site.

Wycombe District Council enforcement officers and police were called to the site last Thursday after residents reported a mobile home being delivered to the camp in Upper Icknield Way.

The travellers were ordered by council officials to remove the mobile home which was taken away from the site on Tuesday morning. No action was taken by police.

The council obtained a 'status quo' injunction, which prohibits any further development on the site, and a 'pre-emptive' injunction on an adjoining piece of land in April.

In a statement, WDC confirmed the breach of the injunction and said it has yet to decide on possible court proceedings, however, enforcement offices 'will continue to monitor the situation'.

Trisha Kelly, whose home backs onto the site, said: “It was very surprising to see this large mobile home trying to turn into the site, it took the delivery driver a while to get it in there.

“We even tried to stop him taking the home onto the site, we explained to the driver there was an injunction on the land but in the end we felt we had to call the council and the police.

“The enforcement officers and a PCSO came out very quickly and we're just glad the council have exercised their powers and ordered them to remove it.

She added that residents were worried about what may happen on the site in the future.

Another Upper Icknield Way resident, who wishes to remain nameless, has told the Bucks Free Press that her 'idyllic' life has become a 'living hell' following the arrival of the travellers.

The 57-year-old retired researcher says her 'perfect view' of the Bledlow Hills has been 'ruined by the sight of caravans' and she has been prescribed anti-depressants after 'it all became too much'.

She added: “This was the first house I ever laid roots in, my father was in the services so I moved around a lot. I'm now in the fortunate position of not having to go to work now but since they arrived my life has been turned upside down.

“I live with that sight 24 hours-a-day, there's people going past my house all the time – I know they need somewhere to live and they have generally been very polite, but I don't want that site backing onto my garden.”

A traveller, who did not want to give his name, said the travellers “just wanted to be left in peace and live their lives” and have been of “no bother to residents” since they arrived during the Easter holidays.

In a letter to the Bucks Free Press, resident Lucy Toynbee called on residents 'to make a difference to the travellers' lives' and urged readers to support the retrospective planning application submitted to the council.

To view a plan of the proposed site, visit www.wycombe.gov.uk and follow the links to the planning portal.