Unauthorised encampments
An unauthorised encampment is when an individual or group of individuals move onto a piece of land that they do not own, without permission. Details of unauthorised encampments on our land will be posted on this page.
Check this page for updates before contacting us to report an unauthorised encampment.
Status Update
We will post updates about any unauthorised encampments on our land, that we are aware of, below.
| Date | Location | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| 29 June 2026 | Caponfield, Welwyn Garden City |
On Saturday 27th June, the Council served a Section 77 notice on the encampment. This gives the group 48 hours to leave the site otherwise the Council will apply to the courts for a court order for their removal. The Council is also aware of additional arrivals on Saturday afternoon. The Council is actively working with Hertfordshire Police and other relevant stakeholders to manage the situation and secure the removal of the encampment as quickly as possible, while ensuring that all necessary legal processes are followed. Update 2nd July 2026: Earlier this week the Council applied to the Courts to force the removal of the occupants and the case has been listed for 10 am on Friday 3rd July at St Albans Magistrates Court. Update 3rd July 2026: Following legal action by the Council, the unauthorised encampment at Caponfield has now been vacated. Work is underway to clear the site and restore it for residents, and the Council is progressing a permanent solution to secure the site and reduce the risk of future unauthorised occupation. |
Report and unauthorised encampment
Contact Planning Enforcement at enforcement@welhat.gov.uk to report an unauthorised encampment.