THURROCK Council, which has been damned for its lack of action and for turning a blind eye to the expansion of what is believed to be the largest Traveller site in Europe, says it plans to turn and enforcement spotlight on the sprawling encampment that is Buckles Lane in South Ockendon.

The site is home to more than 1,000 people, with many of its mobile homes rented out or sub-let to hundreds of people.

The council has been condemned by borough MP Jackie Doyle-Price and other civic leaders for not taking enforcement action on a range of issues at the site. Ms Doyle-Price took her concerns about management of the site and the lack of enforcement to the Ombudsman who backed up her complaints and criticised the council.

And among others to slam the authority has been been local councillor Andrew Jefferies, now a member of the ruling cabinet.

In the 1980s, permission was granted for 50 caravan pitches for travelling showmen to use during the winter months. But through the years, the site has massively expanded, with hundreds of mobile homes moved onto the site without planning permission more than doubled in size, often without planning permission.

After several years of inaction the tide appeared to be turning in February this year when council officers and police raided the site as part of work to crack down on tax fraud.

The joint partnership between council and Essex Police to tackle council tax fraud was declared a success as 13 caravans were inspected during the operation that also saw a vehicle seized for not having insurance.

Thurrock Council leader Rob Gledhill said: "It is grossly unfair on the residents who pay for the services they receive from the council, police and fire service to allow properties at Buckles Lane and other locations across the borough to think they can receive those services for free.

"This is another example of cross-partnership working, our environment enforcement and Council Tax teams were able to join forces with Essex Police to identify the households not paying their fair share, unlike most of our considerate and law abiding residents."

Now the council says it is stepping up the campaign against illegal activity on the site.

It announced today (Thursday, 3 June) that warnings have been issued to Buckles Lane landowners who failed to properly maintain cess pits and sewage systems or illegally stored waste on the site.

The council says that in recent days a series of visits have been carried out by council enforcement officers, supported by Essex Police, as part of ongoing action to ensure planning breaches are not taking place in Buckles Lane and that conditions on landowners' sites are acceptable.

All those issued with warnings are now required to make improvements or face further action. Future visits will take place to ensure work is carried out and to issue warnings at other locations across the site.

Cllr Gledhill was once again to the fore, saying: "This is the latest action we are taking as we tackle decades of unchecked development on the Buckles Lane site. It is important that we carry out these visits to protect residents living there with proper permission and ensure that unscrupulous landowners do not damage the local countryside and drainage systems.

"Yesterday's action uncovered some truly disgusting conditions on the site including raw sewage being pumped into holes, uncapped and completely full cess pits and an illegal waste storage site.

"We are resolute in our message that unauthorised development, unsafe utilities and improper land usage will be tackled on this site. We will continue to visit properties, knock on doors and take every appropriate action until all issues at this site are resolved."