Get off my land: Eviction looms at country's largest travellers' site

Eviction notices could be served within days at what is thought to be the country's largest travellers' site.

Final funding arrangements for the clearance of the unauthorised site at Dale Farm in Essex were approved by Basildon Council last night.

More than 400 travellers currently live at the former scrapyard, which is on green belt land.

About half of the 100 pitches do not have planning permission. Traveller families began to settle on the site ten years ago.

Councillors made the decision at a meeting at council headquarters as travellers protested with "born in Basildon" placards.

The council agreed a contribution of £1.2m towards policing the site clearance.

The contribution will only be paid if total costs exceed £5.5m. The government has already agreed to contribute £1.2m.

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said he was still hopeful the travellers would leave peacefully.

He added: "This contribution to Essex Police would enable the site clearance operation to proceed and breaches of planning control to be addressed, demonstrating the council's ongoing commitment to its green belt policy and the firm line that it takes on enforcing planning legislation.

"Having negotiated so hard to get the government to recognise the scale and impact of this operation on Basildon and Essex residents it would be unacceptable for the council to fail its residents by not agreeing to make this additional contribution.

"Obviously, enforcement action is a last resort and I hope the travellers will leave peacefully before this becomes necessary."