West Berkshire Council has dropped its enforcement notice on an illegal Gypsy traveller encampment in Aldermaston. An appeal has been withdrawn, so the case will not go ahead.
A High Court date had been set after the council said it would prosecute those responsible for the unauthorised development near AWE's nuclear weapons site in Aldermaston, despite a temporary stop notice. AWE's Aldermaston site, and nearby Burghfield, are key to the country's Trident defence programme.
The council won an injunction in December restricting further development and occupation south of Reading Road.
Hundreds have signed an online petition saying the work has left others feeling "unsafe, anxious and unprotected".
The council says neither it nor the police have powers to remove people or items from the land and that civil legal processes must be followed. It has been contacted for comment about withdrawing the enforcement.
Last year the council went to the High Court after landowners tried to vary the injunction to allow up to 20 families to stay while planning decisions were made. Both sides disputed evidence. While landowners can be present on land they own, the council says the unauthorised change of use remains unlawful and enforcement action was ongoing.
The council has also received further planning applications relating to the site.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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