THURROCK Council has successfully sought an interim injunction to stop "unauthorised occupation" and development at a site in Sandy Lane, off Biggin Lane, Chadwell St Mary.

The move means anyone breaching the order could be jailed, fined, or have their assets seized.

The injunction was served on Friday afternoon (15 January) following an investigation and numerous site visits by council planning enforcement officers and Essex Police.

Thurrock Council Leader, Cllr Rob Gledhill said: “This is excellent work by our planning and legal teams and demonstrates how seriously we take planning breaches of this nature.

"This injunction should bring unauthorised activities at this site to a juddering halt and prevent further development from taking place.

"This was done at the fastest pace the law allows and anyone in breach of this order may be sent to prison, fined, or have their assets seized.

“Unfortunately our entire operation was nearly jeopardised earlier this week when information was sent to the local media and details published, potentially giving the occupiers an opportunity to vacate the site and hamper the progress of securing an injunction.

"This was after council officers faced threats of violence on the site and had to return with Essex Police whom I thank for their support.

“Fortunately hard work by our officers across the council means we have served an injunction and now we can be assured that action has been taken to stop these unauthorised activities.”