Warwick council in High Court bid over travellers' site

A court has extended an injunction on travellers living on land in Warwickshire from developing the site further.

The group moved on to a field in Beausale, near Kenilworth, just before the May Day Bank Holiday.

They have said they had no choice but to begin work without planning permission.

Birmingham High Court granted the injunction following an application by Warwick District Council.

It will last until the council's planning committee has made a decision over the travellers' application to build there.

A temporary "stop notice" was served on the travellers on 2 May to prevent further building and engineering operations and any further caravans using the site.

In a statement, the council said: "The district council is continuing to respond to the unauthorised occupation of a site on Kites Nest Lane, Beausale, by gypsies which took place over the May Bank Holiday weekend."

Their planning application seeks permission for the change of use of the land for British Romany Gypsy families for 13 permanent pitches for mobile homes, 13 touring caravans for nomadic use only and 13 utility day rooms, the council added.

Residents reported to police that heavy machinery, including diggers and road rollers, had moved on the site.