Mobile homes, fencing and patios are set to be forcibly removed from a travellers' site in Castle Point.

Councillors at last night's planning committee approved a recommendation for patios, fencing, sheds, and mobile homes to be forcibly removed from the site by an Esso petrol station on the A127, close to Rayleigh Weir.

The site was illegally developed by travellers who set up home on the land.

The committee also backed a move by Basildon Council to serve an enforcement notice on travellers living on land west of the Sadlers Farm roundabout in Benfleet.

The Sadlers Farm site is in Conservative leader Pam Challis' ward (St Peter's). She said: "I think it's appalling that these people set up these settlements on green belt land.

"They are cocking a snook at the council and just open the floodgates for similar situations."

Former councillor Jenifer Howlett attended the meeting and criticised the council for taking so long to remove the travellers.

Published Wednesday September 1, 2004

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