Campaign to Save Dale Farm

Travellers at largest gypsy camp in Europe face eviction

On 14th July 2005, Basildon Council voted to spend a minimum of £1.9 million to evict about 500 men, women and children from Dale Farm at Crays Hill, near Basildon. The Travellers have no alternative but to wait for the specialist firm of bailiffs, Constant & Co., to move in with police assistance. The estimated cost to the police is £1 million, which has to be paid out of public funds in addition to the £1.9 m. already set aside.

It is accepted by all concerned that the eviction won’t solve the problem as there are insufficient sites available for Gypsies and Travellers.

The residents at Dale Farm bought the land (previously used a scrap metal yard for over 25 years) and have developed it with their own money. They also pay about £1000 per dwelling in Council Tax! Health and educational professionals involved have indicated in reports to the Council that the health and welfare of the elderly, physically and mentally ill and the children will be seriously affected by the eviction. But the Conservative-dominated Council has stated that the eviction must take place as the land is designated as green belt land and such residential development will not be permitted.

Constant & Co. are currently facing legal action for damages following the brutal eviction of Travellers from other sites, some of whom now face evicton again at Dale Farm.

Peace & Progress is working with the residents to campaign for the right to stay at Dale Farm or be safely relocated to other land where they will be allowed to continue their lifestyle and become part of the local community.

For more information, please see the Briefing on this site about Travellers, the P&P Submission to the Council (which contains photographs of the site before and after development) and the letters from a representative of the Gypsies at Dale Farm to the Prime Minister and The Queen.

If you wish to play an active part in supporting Dale Farm please contact Peace and Progress on mail@peaceandprogress.org or by phoning 07888 841586.