The High Court has granted Guildford Borough Council a wide-ranging injunction against dozens of individuals and ‘persons unknown’ following what a judge described as serious, flagrant and repeated breaches of planning control on agricultural land in Wanborough.
The land, known as Wanborough Fields, lies within a designated Area of Great Landscape Value and forms part of the setting of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. It is also within the zone of influence for the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.
Duncan Atkinson KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge, found that there had been extensive unauthorised development on the site, including residential occupation, the erection of buildings and fencing and the importation of hardcore and materials for storage. The judge noted that enforcement notices had been served between 2020 and 2024, but breaches had continued and, in some cases, intensified.
The court heard that unauthorised activity on the land had escalated, with new breaches identified on each council inspection visit. The judge described intrusive and abusive behaviour by some defendants towards council officers, and noted that further development had taken place even after an interim injunction was granted in July 2025.
The injunction includes both restraining elements, prohibiting further unauthorised development, and mandatory elements requiring remediation of existing breaches. The judge carefully considered the personal circumstances of defendants, including those in residential occupation and the rights of traveller families under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
He concluded that the council had properly assessed the balance between enforcement of planning control and the hardship caused to individuals. The mandatory elements of the order will not take effect until ongoing planning applications and enforcement notice appeals have been determined.
The judge also granted an injunction against ‘persons unknown’, finding a compelling need to prevent further unauthorised occupation and development on the site.
Several defendants were excluded from the mandatory elements of the order where ownership was uncertain or breaches had already been remedied. Cases involving defendants with significant health issues or pending planning applications were adjourned.
The injunction lasts for one year, with liberty for those affected to apply to vary or discharge it.
Photo: Wesley Tingey
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