A travellers' site in Somerset, known as Greenacres and situated on Oxen Lane in North Curry near Taunton, must be vacated by Christmas after Somerset Council obtained a final injunction from the High Court.
The Greenacres site has been embroiled in legal disputes for more than 20 years, including a previous High Court injunction issued in 2009. After unauthorised work commenced on the site in October 2024, the council secured a temporary injunction in July 2025 to prevent further occupants from moving onto the land.
The council later refused retrospective planning permission for 16 pitches intended for touring caravans and static homes on the site. This decision was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate in early June following a public inquiry.
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In mid-July, after a High Court hearing, a permanent injunction was granted. The remaining residents now have three months to vacate the site.
The court found that, considering all aspects including the impact on current occupants, the council’s enforcement measures were “justified and proportionate”. The injunction requires all unauthorised residential use to cease immediately and mandates the removal of all associated developments, including caravans, day rooms, and other infrastructure.
Residents must leave the site by 18 December 2025. Furthermore, all structures and waste must be cleared and the land restored within four months.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, acknowledged the complexity and duration of the case, saying: “This has been a long-running and complex case, and we recognise that residents have been frustrated by the length of time it has taken to reach this point.
“However, throughout this process, we have been required to follow both planning law and the legal processes set by the courts. We could not bypass those procedures, regardless of the strength of local feeling.
“Since the site was reoccupied, we have pursued planning enforcement action, secured an interim injunction, defended the refusal of planning permission through the appeals process and sought a final ruling from the High Court.
“The Planning Inspectorate dismissed the appeal against our decision and the High Court has now granted a final injunction in our favour.
“We welcome the court’s judgment, which recognises the importance of upholding planning controls while carefully considering the circumstances of those living on the site.
“This issue has taken up a considerable amount of the council’s capacity with planning enforcement, and we are grateful for the community’s patience and the hard work of the officers involved with this complex case.
“We will now work with all relevant agencies to implement the court’s order and bring this long-running matter to a lawful conclusion.”