Rushmoor Borough Council has taken legal action to tackle unauthorised encampments on council land in Aldershot and Farnborough.
On Tuesday 25 June, the council was successful in obtaining an injunction in the High Court against anyone forming unauthorised encampments at 12 named locations across Rushmoor, which will last for an initial period of three months.
The injunction came into effect at 10am on Wednesday 26 June and it means that people are forbidden from entering or occupying the land for residential purposes including the occupation of caravans or mobile homes and vehicles.
It is forbidden for anyone to set up an encampment on any part of the land (unless authorised to do so or with lawful planning permission) and from depositing controlled waste on the land.
It covers the following locations:
- Land at Aldershot Park, Guildford Road, Aldershot (including Aldershot Park, Aldershot Pools Complex & Lido, Aldershot Crematorium, Aldershot Cricket Club)
- Manor Park, Aldershot
- Ivy Road Recreation Ground, Aldershot
- Napier Gardens and Car Park, North Camp
- King George V Playing Fields, Farnborough
- Farnborough Leisure Centre car park, Farnborough
- Union Street West car park, Farnborough
- Southwood County Park, Playing Fields, Car parks, Farnborough
- Southwood Village Green, Summit Avenue, Farnborough
- Nightingale Close, Farnborough (Land to the east of Minley Road)
- Land at Hawley Lane, Farnborough
- Moor Road Playing Field, Farnborough
As part of the injunction application, the council included detailed witness statements with information on recent damage, noise complaints and antisocial behaviour associated with unauthorised encampments which have been of concern to the council and residents in recent months which have seen encampments at Aldershot Park, King George V Playing Fields and Southwood Woodland.
Councillor Christine Guinness, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Services at Rushmoor Borough Council said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to take such immediate action to tackle unauthorised encampments in our borough. This injunction will help us to protect and prevent future damage to council and public land and enable the council and our partners to take prompt legal action.”
Public notices and copies of the injunction are being displayed at the locations and further information is available on our injunction application page.
To let Rushmoor Borough Council know about an unauthorised encampment, members of the public should call 01252 398 399 and Hampshire Police on 101.
They should also report crime or antisocial behaviour through the Police on 101, or in an emergency contact 999.
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