South Cambridgeshire District Council v Flynn & Ors [2006] EWHC 1320 (QB) (07 June 2006)

South Cambridgeshire District Council v Flynn & Ors [2006] EWHC 1320 (QB) (07 June 2006)

The planning harm caused by the unauthorised use of the land is very strong and outweighs the personal circumstances and Article 8 rights of the defendants. The Council and Secretary of State have properly considered all relevant factors, including the lack of alternative sites and homelessness duties. No material change in circumstances or policy justifies withholding injunctive relief. The injunction is proportionate and necessary to enforce planning control.

Citation
[2006] EWHC 1320
Parties
Claimant: South Cambridgeshire District Council; Defendant: Dan Flynn (1 of 3); Defendant: Patrick O'Brien Senior (1 of 2); Defendant: Bridget O'Brien; Defendant: Patrick O'Brien Junior (2 of 2); Defendant: Lisa O'Brien; Defendant: Michael O'Brien; Defendant: Mary O'Brien (1 of 2); Defendant: John Flynn; Defendant: Margaret Culligan; Defendant: Mary Culligan; Defendant: John Culligan; Defendant: Danny Flynn (2 of 3); Defendant: Nora Flynn; Defendant: Patrick Flynn; Defendant: Julie Sheridan; Defendant: James O'Brien (1 of 2); Defendant: Patricia O'Brien; Defendant: Daniel O'Brien; Defendant: Nora O'Brien; Defendant: Jeremiah O'Brien; Defendant: Jeanie O'Brien; Defendant: D Quilligan (1 of 2); Defendant: Breada O'Donoghue; Defendant: Jimmy O'Donoghue; Defendant: Pat O'Donoghue; Defendant: Mary O'Donoghue; Defendant: James O'Brien; Defendant: Tricia O'Brien; Defendant: Daniel Flynn (3 of 3); Defendant: Nora Sheridan; Defendant: Mary Flynn; Defendant: William Flynn; Defendant: Daniel Quilligan (2 of 2); Defendant: Patrick Quilligan; Defendant: Miss Gemmall Persons Unknown etc
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 June 2006
Procedural Posture
Injunction Application Under Section 187 B Town and Country Planning Act 1990 / Final Judgment at First Instance
Outcome
Injunction granted
Legal Topics
Injunctions, Enforcement of Planning Control, Article 8 ECHR, Proportionality, Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation, Homelessness Duties
Planning Law Human Rights Law Administrative Law Injunctions Enforcement of Planning Control Article 8 ECHR Proportionality Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation +1 more

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Parties

South Cambridgeshire District Council

Claimant

Dan Flynn (1 of 3)

Defendant

Patrick O'Brien Senior (1 of 2)

Defendant

Bridget O'Brien

Defendant

Patrick O'Brien Junior (2 of 2)

Defendant

Lisa O'Brien

Defendant

Michael O'Brien

Defendant

Mary O'Brien (1 of 2)

Defendant

John Flynn

Defendant

Margaret Culligan

Defendant

Mary Culligan

Defendant

John Culligan

Defendant

Danny Flynn (2 of 3)

Defendant

Nora Flynn

Defendant

Patrick Flynn

Defendant

Julie Sheridan

Defendant

James O'Brien (1 of 2)

Defendant

Patricia O'Brien

Defendant

Daniel O'Brien

Defendant

Nora O'Brien

Defendant

Jeremiah O'Brien

Defendant

Jeanie O'Brien

Defendant

D Quilligan (1 of 2)

Defendant

Breada O'Donoghue

Defendant

Jimmy O'Donoghue

Defendant

Pat O'Donoghue

Defendant

Mary O'Donoghue

Defendant

James O'Brien

Defendant

Tricia O'Brien

Defendant

Daniel Flynn (3 of 3)

Defendant

Nora Sheridan

Defendant

Mary Flynn

Defendant

William Flynn

Defendant

Daniel Quilligan (2 of 2)

Defendant

Patrick Quilligan

Defendant

Miss Gemmall Persons Unknown etc

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Injunction Application Under Section 187 B Town and Country Planning Act 1990 / Final Judgment at First Instance

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether it is proportionate to grant an injunction requiring removal of caravans from land in light of Article 8 ECHR rights of Irish Traveller defendants
  2. 2 Whether the absence of alternative sites or homelessness duties precludes injunctive relief
  3. 3 Whether recent policy changes (Circular 1/2006) or new evidence affect the planning balance

Ratio Decidendi

The planning harm caused by the unauthorised use of the land is very strong and outweighs the personal circumstances and Article 8 rights of the defendants. The Council and Secretary of State have properly considered all relevant factors, including the lack of alternative sites and homelessness duties. No material change in circumstances or policy justifies withholding injunctive relief. The injunction is proportionate and necessary to enforce planning control.

Court Disposition

Injunction granted

Orders

  • Defendants required to remove caravans and cease residential use of the land at Pine View, Smithy Fen, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, in accordance with enforcement notices.
  • Ancillary relief as sought by the claimants granted against relevant defendants.