Conservators Act Against Camps on Playing Fields at Roehampton Vale
Granted three year injunction against occupation of land or depositing of waste
The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) have been granted a three year injunction by the High Court as part of their efforts to stop illegal camps being set up on a local playing field.
Thirteen caravans and twenty two other vehicles illegally entered and parked on the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields at Roehampton Vale this September.
They remained for thirty hours and in that time the Conservators say considerable damage was sustained to the fields, with cars dismantled resulting in broken glass left on the playing surface, goal posts broken and detritus and rubbish deposited across the area.
The WPCC Board agreed to seek an injunction covering Wimbledon and Putney Commons in their entirety against further similar incursions. This decision was in line with the actions of several local authorities in south west London in order to manage the increasing number of such incidents.
The Interim Order Order was granted on 16 October at the High Court of Justice.
On Thursday 13 December, the WPCC, again supported by their legal representatives, were granted the injunction.
Mrs Diane Neil Mills, Chairman of the Board of Conservators stated, “The confirmation of a three year Injunction Order against persons unknown ‘occupying land and/or depositing waste on land’ forming any part of Wimbledon and Putney Commons is welcomed. This will provide the Commons with significant protection in line with the Conservators’ duties under the founding Act of Parliament of making the Commons available for the purposes of recreation, exercise and other purposes”.
Copies of the Order have been posted at prominent locations around the perimeter of the Commons and additional information is available on the WPCC website.