Buckinghamshire council takes legal action against unlawful building works in village between Aylesbury and Berkhamsted
A High Court injunction has been served after an unlawful development was discovered on Green Belt land.
The council was told that caravans had moved onto land off Hog Lane in Ashley Green at around 9.30pm on Thursday, April 2, despite a previously refused planning application.
By the morning of Good Friday April 3, officers had prepared a Temporary Stop Notice (TSN) and visited the site, where they saw men, trade vehicles and evidence of caravans and hardstanding works. The TSN was served Friday afternoon, requiring all works to stop immediately.
But the council says it received reports and photographs proving that activity continued in breach of the notice.
More evidence early on Saturday, April 4, showed that unauthorised works were still ongoing. The council escalated its response, preparing witness statements for an urgent without‑notice injunction and issuing instructions to its legal representatives early in the morning.
More site reports were received at midday and again mid-afternoon. A meeting took place later that day to finish the application.
At around 9.30pm on Saturday evening, the High Court granted an Interim Injunction, which was formally served on Easter Sunday.
The Order prohibits any further works, occupation or alteration of the land, including bringing additional caravans or materials onto the site, creating new tracks, installing services, depositing waste or assisting others in moving onto the land.
Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “This kind of unauthorised development is completely unacceptable, and I want to be absolutely clear that Buckinghamshire Council will not hesitate to use the full extent of the law to protect our area from harmful unauthorised development.
"Our officers worked tirelessly throughout the bank holiday period to gather evidence, issue enforcement notices and secure an urgent injunction within hours.
“People cannot simply ignore planning rules because it suits them, and this swift action demonstrates exactly how seriously we take any breach. We will continue to monitor the site closely and will pursue further legal steps if required.”
Residents concerned about potential unauthorised development or believe that planning rules may be being breached can report this to Buckinghamshire Council using the Report a planning breach form on the council’s website.