Court order bans more caravans at site of fire

A court order banning more caravans and mobile homes being added to a site has been put in place after several were destroyed by a fire.

The blaze spread to 11 caravans as well as stables, outbuildings and vehicles at The Laurels in Fen Road on the outskirts of Cambridge on 20 April.

South Cambridgeshire District Council said The Laurels only had planning permission for seven pitches.

The High Court injunction was obtained on Friday, a spokesperson said, and adding more caravans would pose a "public safety risk".

The council said planning permission was granted specifically for seven pitches to be used by people from the Gypsy and traveller communities.

"However, the green belt site has been used recently for a much greater number of caravans - some of which were being used by people who are not from the Gypsy and traveller community," they said.

"As well as breaking planning rules, the potential replacement of the unauthorised caravans would again pose a significant fire risk."

The authority, which shares its planning services with Cambridge City Council, said it was "assessing the most appropriate approach" for the units that remain at the site, but that it was illegal to add more.

South Cambridgeshire District Council's lead member for housing, Liberal Democract John Batchelor, said the council "continues to offer free advice and support to people displaced from the site" after the fire.

He said council staff "always assess whether anyone facing homelessness needs a place to stay for a short time".

The injunction runs until 1 May 2026.

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