Construction work stops at wildlife spot

Police are on site and work has stopped at a wildlife spot after a High Court injunction was imposed to stop unauthorised construction and caravans being brought on to the site.

The injunction was issued at 22:30 BST on Saturday to prevent work at a field off Sheering Mill Lane in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, but diggers were seen being used on Sunday and Monday morning.

However, about a dozen police officers entered the site shortly before 09:00 BST after an updated injunction gave them power to arrest anyone carrying out prohibited work with videos and pictures later showing vehicles leaving.

Hundreds of residents protested against the work, with some staying overnight into Monday

One resident, who did not want to be named, said officers entered the site at about 09:00 BST.

Protesters clapped and cheered as the first vans and diggers left the site at about 09:30.

East Hertfordshire District Council staff first became aware of the digging, which did not have planning permission, on Saturday morning.

The injunction temporarily blocked further development on the land, bringing caravans on-site, as well as banning anyone occupying the plot.

An updated injunction was served on Monday morning, which gave police the power to arrest anyone on site carrying out prohibited activities, police said.

Town mayor, Angus Parsad-Wyatt said police having the powers to arrest and remove people from the site was "crucial".

The injunction runs until 15 September when a further court hearing is due to take place.

A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Police said: "Police entered the site this morning and all those who had unauthorised access left the site peacefully.

"This was following an amended High Court injunction, which was granted and served last night. The High Court injunction meant that anyone found carrying out activities prohibited by the injunction – including bringing caravans on site and occupying the land for carrying out development – could be arrested by the police. No arrests were necessary."

The force said it would work with East Hertfordshire District Council, who were leading the response.

Residents have said the site was often visited by muntjac deer and had a rich ecosystem.

Parsad-Wyatt, who is also a Conservative councillor for East Hertfordshire District Council, said since Friday evening diggers had been at work with fences put up.

He said it had been "very distressing for the community".

However, he said that community had been shown "at its absolute best" as residents joined together to keep a presence onsite while the legal process continued.

The council said it was now "doing everything possible to secure an earlier court date" than 15 September.

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