BILLERICAY: Gipsies fight to save illegal centre

TRAVELLERS have asked for a judicial review after councillors voted to knock down their community centre.

In the meantime gipsies at Dale Farm in Crays Hill are seeking an injunction to stop the St Christopher’s Centre being bulldozed after Basildon District Council voted to proceed with direct action on Tuesday night.

The centre was built in controversial circumstances earlier this year after Essex County Council provided funds of around £12,000 for the building.

But it was built without planning permission on Green Belt land.

Traveller spokesman Gratton Puxon told the Gazette: “We have sought legal advice and are going to fight this decision.”

Read more in next week’s Gazette.