Illegal encampments cleared following council action in Surrey

Tandridge District Council has won High Court orders to remove three unauthorised developments, marking a legal victory for local planning enforcement. 

Judges ruled last week that works at Chelsham, Shipley Bridge and Horne were carried out without permission and must cease immediately. The court also ordered the developers to pay the council’s legal costs. 

At the Chelsham site, the judgement requires the land to be returned to agricultural use, with hedging replanted and gates and fencing removed. Similar orders have been issued for the Shipley Bridge and Horne sites, with all works halted and the land restored under the council’s direction. 

The outcomes represent a significant success for the local authority, whose Enforcement Team will ensure the High Court orders are implemented within the legal deadlines. 

Tandridge District Council is currently pursuing 12 further injunctions and says it remains committed to protecting Green Belt land, upholding planning law and responding to residents’ concerns. 

Leader of the council, Catherine Sayer, said: ‘We are taking decisive legal action to stop unauthorised development. Council officers have worked tirelessly often under very challenging circumstances to prepare cases, secure High Court injunctions and protect our countryside from unlawful harm. These latest judgments demonstrate our firm and proactive approach is working and we will continue to use every legal power available to us.’

Since the news broke, local residents have taken to social media to express their opinions. On Facebook, one person said: ‘I cannot thank TDC Enforcement and Legal teams enough for all the efforts they put in on the Chelsham site. Such prompt action even working out of hours to stop misuse of agricultural land.’

However, the verdict hasn’t been welcomed by everyone. Another resident said: ‘There are several encampments on Bones Lane, Newchapel and Plough Road, Smallfield. Do these come under this directive, or are some of these ‘authorised’.’

Another criticised the council’s ability to act quickly. ‘All very well but will they be enforced? Found TDC very weak when it comes to things like this,’ they said.

Image: Openverse 

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