Only days to go for Colney Heath travellers? (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Only days to go for Colney Heath travellers?

4:02pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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THE long-running saga of the Robb traveller family, who have been living illegally on Green Belt land near Colney Heath for at least eight years, could reach its final act next week.

Despite the travellers' failure shortly before Christmas to win leave to appeal against a High Court ruling, there are still at least two caravans on the yard they own off Coursers Road.

Peter Robb, who has already endured one prison term for contempt of court, confounded the district council two years ago when he won temporary planning permission for his family to live on the site.

The authority, backed by Colney Heath Parish Council, argues the family's presence undermines planning law, and poses a flooding risk both to themselves and - by raising the ground level with hardcore - to other homes along the River Colne.

But the High Court overturned the planning inspector's decision, ruling that the yard's Green Belt status was sacrosanct.

District councillor Chris Brazier, who has spear-headed the fight against the Robbs, said: "The number of caravans changes from day to day. There have been at least five at times, and even as many as ten It is obvious they are occupied although it is hard to say exactly how many people are living there.

"We will be going back to the High Court on March 18, and asking it to confirm that there is now no reason for them to be there.

"Then we will hire bailiffs and get the site cleared.

"Hopefully that will be the end of it after eight years, although you never know."

The family have told the Review previously that they get on well with neighbours, and it is difficult for their children to get education and healthcare without a settled place to live.