The future approach

Abstract

This Opinion considers a new approach that has been adopted by various local authorities who have successfully applied for injunctive relief to prevent ‘persons unknown’ from setting up encampments on any green spaces identified on a local authority map. It is suggested that the ‘preventative injunction’ is a better way to deal with traveller encampments on green spaces, as it is proactive rather than reactive. It is of particular benefit, when having regard to the huge sums of money that councils have expended on addressing the arrival of travellers in their areas. Local authorities have limited resources (time and money) and it is argued that this approach could instead help them to obviously spend the money saved to enhance the ‘quality of life’ of their local residents.