NEWS

Please see the link below for the latest statement from the District Council on the unauthorised travellers site at Willows Green:

Uttlesford District Council Statement – Willows Green and Milch Hill

Please be reminded that a Parish Litter Pick is being held on Saturday 25th July 26 between 10am and midday.

Please just turn up, all help gratefully received!

Meet in the Main Playing Field Car Park (off of Jollyboys Lane North). All equipment will be provided.

UDC are consulting on it’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2027/28. To have your say please complete the online questionnaire which can be found on the Uttlesford District Council website at  https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/lcts-consultation or by emailing any comments to ku.vog.drofselttuobfsctd-39933d@noitatlusnoc

The consultation closes on Monday 14 September 26.

A Parish Litter Pick is being held on Saturday 25th July 26 between 10am and midday

Meet in the Playing Field Car Park (off of Jollyboys Lane North)

You can choose which area you ‘pick’. High viz vests will be provided along with gloves, grabbers and refuse bags.

Please just turn up, all help gratefully received!

Any queries please ring Heather Read (Clerk)
on 07719 552174 or email ku.vog.cp-detslefobfsctd-8acc9e@krelc

The purpose of this note is to offer a brief factual update on the activity of travellers at Willows Green and Milch Hill.

As many of you will know, over the May Bank Holiday weekend, travellers entered part of a meadow they have purchased at Willows Green and began developing the site as a permanent travellers’ site for circa 12 caravans and associated vehicles.

No planning application had been submitted before the development. (As of 10th July, no retrospective application has been seen by Felsted Parish Council.)

Following the holiday weekend, Uttlesford District Council (UDC) immediately sought and obtained a High Court injunction preventing any further development. UDC also obtained a pre-emptive injunction preventing any similar development on a site at Milch Hill, which appears to be in similar ownership.

The injunction on the Willows Green site has now been extended by the High Court for 2 years. A further hearing in relation to the site at Milch Hill is expected on the 29th of July. UDC are represented by experienced counsel.

Since the incursion at Willows Green, Felsted Parish Council has been in regular communication with both UDC and a well-structured residents’ group. We have also been in contact with our MP James Cleverly and with the Essex Police.

Several breaches of the injunction appear to have occurred and have been reported to UDC as the planning authority. UDC is continually assessing whether the alleged breaches provide sufficient evidence to support action for contempt of court.

Felsted Parish Council and UDC agree that the development on the Willows Green site is a flagrant breach of Planning Regulations and should cease and the meadow restored. The Parish Council will continue to offer support and will vigorously object to any application or retrospective planning application submitted for either site.

UDC have informed the parish that they are well-resourced and are monitoring the situation at Willows Green carefully and will seek the full power of the law to end the breaches. However, there are considerable legal hurdles to overcome before we can hope to see an end to the unlawful use and the meadow restored.

Residents in Willows Green are well organised. Other residents who observe any relevant activity are advised to report their direct observations to UDC, via either: On line at: https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/article/5809/Report-a-possible-breach-of-planning-regulations

Or Email at: ku.vog.drofselttuobfsctd-509d24@tnemecrofne

Residents of Uttlesford district are invited to attend a public meeting hosted by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex, to discuss local crime and community safety issues.

The meeting will take place on Monday 6th July at Saffron Walden Town Hall, Market St, Saffron Walden CB10 1HZ, starting at 7pm to 8pm.

It will give residents the opportunity to hear about the latest community safety activity in the district and raise concerns directly with those responsible for keeping Essex safe.

Roger Hirst will be joined by representatives from Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service who will provide updates on local policing, fire safety, and partnership work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. There will also be a Q&A session with the panel.

The meeting is open to all Uttlesford district residents, everyone is welcome to attend. No booking is required.

As part of this week of action and awareness the Uttlesford District Council Communities Team has joined forces with their Environmental Health and Housing Team, Various Housing Associations, Essex Police and other key partners to deliver a number of ASB Surgeries across the district. These surgeries will be a great opportunity for local residents to come along and speak about any issues they may be experiencing and to gain advice/guidance on keeping safe in the community.

 List of Surgery dates

10:00 – 15:30, Tuesday 30th June 2026 – Saffron Walden Market

17:00 – 19:00, Tuesday 30th June 2026 – Online. Email ku.vog.drofselttuobfsctd-419b30@ytefasytinummoC to book a 15-minute slot with an ASB Officer.

14:00 – 16:00, Friday 3rd July 2026 – Elsenham Memorial Hall

As always Anti-Social Behaviour can be reported using the following methods –

Call – 01799 510 344 and ask to speak to an ASB Officer

Email –  ku.vog.drofselttuobfsctd-5d9a9a@ytefasytinummoC

Online – Report anti-social behaviour – Uttlesford District Council

As always if a Crime has taken place please call Essex Police on 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency. Crimes can also be reported online via the Essex Police Website or anamyously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Due to the amber weather warning for hot weather throughout the remainder of this week, UDC have advised that their collection crews will be commencing collections from 6am, to try and reduce exposure during the hottest part of the day. The warning is currently at amber however, if this rises to a red warning UDC have indicated that they are likely to suspend collections and recommence on Saturday or next Monday.

This is a final reminder of the opportunity for residents to comment on the proposed “Hedgehog Grove Solar Farm” planning application, particularly where any new reasons that have required time for research or prepare for submission have now been identified.

Whilst the original Neighbour Consultation Expiry Date was 16th May 2026, the final “Latest Consultation Date” is 30th June 2026.

Details of the application (and the opportunity for those residents who wish to comment) can be found at:

https://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application

By entering the application reference number UTT/26/0445/FUL

Felsted Parish Council has objected because we have already supported TWO solar farms within Felsted Parish, one covering 38 acres which has been fully operational since 2014 and the other covering 282 acres, which received full planning approval from UDC in 2023 that is yet to be constructed.

Both existing sites are located near Willows Green and full details (including maps of both the two existing sites and the additional proposed “Hedgehog Grove Solar Farm” site) are available on the Parish Council website under the “NEWS” tab.

As there is a parallel application for the same solar farm proposal in Braintree district (as the site transcends the district boundaries) residents may also wish to comment on the Braintree District application, which can be found at:

https://publicaccess.braintree.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=TB2DHVBFGDL00