Opponents given another nine months to leave Darwen travellers’ camp

The occupants of a controversial unauthorised travellers’ camp near Whitehall Park in Darwen have been given another nine months to vacate the site despite losing a court case over their right to stay on the land which they own.

The Young family now have until January 15 to leave subject to appeal.

Judge Catherine Howells, sitting at Liverpool County Court, ruled that Blackburn with Darwen Council’s application for a full injunction be granted.

This means that the family – who self-identify as Gypsies – must vacate the unlawful encampment at Hall Moss Farm and return the land back to its original state.

Following a two-day hearing, and having taken into consideration the family’s circumstances, she has allowed them until January 15 to fully vacate the site and complete all remedial work.

This includes removing all caravans, buildings, structures and hardcore and reseeding of the land.

If the defendants in this case – Thomas Young, James Young, John Young and Jack Young – fail to meet the new deadline, it could result in an unlimited fine, imprisonment and/or seizure of assets.

Legal action could also be taken for any further works carried out between now and January 15 if it is not related to restoring the land back to its original state.

At the hearing, the judge also granted the council’s application for costs.

The family now has 21 days to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal.

Jack Young said: “This is not a fair-minded judgement.

“We will be appealing it.

“It would put autistic children on the road.

“If necessary we will put our caravan in front of Blackburn Town Hall – where else can we go?

“They are more concerned about habitat and dog walkers than they are about children.

“If the council offer us somewhere else safe for my children and family I would be very happy and go even sooner than the deadline.”

West Pennine ward Conservative councillor Julie Slater said: “I am delighted that the council got their injunction but my residents will not be impressed by the extended deadline and the prospect of another appeal.”

Darwen South Labour councillor Anthony Shaw said: “I am obviously delighted that the judge ruled with the council as it was the only outcome that made any sense.

“But myself and residents will be disappointed to see a further extension.

“However, I am hopeful that this saga may be coming to a close.”

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: “This has been a long and incredibly complex case which has required significant resources from right across the council and our partners too, including unprecedented court action.

“It came after a large number of complaints from residents about the encampment, which breaches national planning policy and is unlawful.

“We welcome Judge Howells’ decision today and will continue to monitor the site carefully.”

The saga began when the Young family first moved onto the site in May 2024 without attempting to secure planning permission.

Due to complaints from residents, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Planning Enforcement Team used its powers to issue a Temporary Stop Notice.

Due to breaches of this order, it was replaced by a Full Stop Notice and Enforcement Notice in July 2024.

The family then applied for backdated planning permission for a six-plot traveller caravan site – each with a static and two mobile caravans – and a utility block.

In March last year, Blackburn with Darwen Council rejected the application on five grounds.

An appeal was then lodged with the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

Following further breaches of the Full Stop Notice, the council sought an interim injunction granted at an emergency hearing at Manchester Civil Court in July 2025.

The public planning appeal hearing was held at Blackburn Town Hall in September last year.

Afterwards planning inspector Robert Walker dismissed the appeal.

He ruled that all caravans must be removed and the land reinstated to its original agricultural condition.

To ensure the family had enough time to find alternative accommodation, he extended the deadline to January 5.

Despite the ruling, the family were still living on the site on that date, and so Blackburn with Darwen Council sought a full injunction at a court hearing in January, which was adjourned until this week at the request of the Young family.