Council Issues New Enforcement Notice on Traveller Site

West Berkshire Council has served a replacement enforcement notice on the gypsy traveller site on Reading Road near Aldermaston after withdrawing the previous notice last week.

The council said the earlier notice was withdrawn even though an appeal had been lodged and that "therefore the appeal will not proceed any further".

It says a replacement notice was issued immediately, though no public notice was published.

The new notice only changes the boundary plan, with the red line enlarged to ensure it covers the whole of the unauthorised development. The council says this strengthens a likely next round in the High Court, although no date has been set.

"There are no changes to the steps required by the notice," said the council.

"The revised boundary plan strengthens the notice and provides greater certainty regarding the extent of the land affected by the enforcement action."

"As a new enforcement notice has now been served, the appeal relating to the withdrawn notice will cease."

"Those served with the replacement notice will have a right of appeal against the new notice through the usual planning process."

The replacement notice does not affect the interim injunction granted by the High Court in December 2025, which remains in force, and the council is awaiting the outcome of recent court proceedings that will determine whether the injunction can continue.

Denise Gaines (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Kintbury), executive member for planning and housing, said: "We remain committed to taking appropriate and proportionate action where there are serious breaches of planning control."

"The replacement enforcement notice provides greater clarity regarding the land covered by the notice while maintaining the same requirements for the unauthorised development."

"This action demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting our communities, upholding the planning system and ensuring that development takes place in accordance with the law."

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter