Wolverhampton Council to discuss success of traveller injunction order

On October 2, 2018, an injunction was granted by the High Court in Birmingham to protect Wolverhampton’s green spaces and other vulnerable sites against unauthorised encampments at 60 sites across the city.

The injunction was initially granted for three years and the council returned to court on December 5, 2019, for a first review hearing.

In January 2020, the council approved planning permission for a transit site to be created on land at Gorsebrook Road.

The site could see up to 13 traveller families housed for a maximum of 14 days at a time, with a year-long trial to assess the level of use.

Next month’s review hearing will determine how effective the injunction has been, whether it remains appropriate in its current form and the progress made on developing a transit site.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: “We are now able to return to the high court with an update on our plans to develop the transit site which will offer a place for travellers to stay for short periods of time for a fee.

“Without the transit site and the continued injunction, we will face costs of between £250,000 to £300,000 a year to move on unauthorised camps.

“We hope the High Court recognises the action we are taking to develop a transit site and approves our requests to continue to protect our most vulnerable open spaces.”

Comments and observations relating to the injunction can be submitted to the council via email to litigation@wolverhampton.gov.uk quoting “Traveller Injunction Review Hearing” in the subject line, no later than 4pm on Friday June 26.

The hearing will take place on July 20 at 10.30am at Birmingham District Registry.