TRAVELLERS who have refused to move from a site on Holland Marshes are facing court action.

Two caravans arrived on the land which is used by Essex County Council Highways as a material store yard last week.

Tendring Council received a number of complaints about the encampment and the travellers were served with a Direction to Leave which gave them 24 hours to move on.

The district council said that because they have not complied with the order they are committing an offence and Essex County Traveller Unit has served them with a summons to attend court on Wednesday.

Paul Honeywood, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for housing, said that it is unusual for the travellers not to comply with a Direction to Leave.

“In this case it has been necessary to take action via the courts as part of the appropriate procedure in these matters,” he said.

“However, it would not be unusual if the group decided to move the day or night before the court hearing.”
Another group of travellers who set up on the verge next to Brook Country Park in Clacton left over the weekend."