Travellers at Barnacle issued with injunction

The council hopes to get a permanent injunction on Wednesday

A council says it has secured an interim injunction against an "illegal development" by travellers in a Warwickshire village.

Rugby Borough Council said work had started without planning permission on a field in Barnacle, near Coventry.

The injunction means further work at the site would be a criminal offence.

It is thought the field is owned by the travellers though the council said it did not know who owned the land, though it is privately owned.

Rugby Borough Council said it secured the interim injunction less than 24 hours after work, which included putting gravel down, had started.

Council warning

"Nearby residents were very quick to notify us that an illegal development had started, and that meant that we have also been able to act quickly," the spokesman added.

The council hopes to make the order permanent in the High Court on Wednesday.

Last month Rugby Borough Council warned that law changes may result in fewer permanent sites for travellers and gypsies and more unauthorised encampments.

The government said it would remove the obligation on councils to provide permanent sites for traveller groups.

Instead it plans to offer cash incentives to councils which it hopes will boost the number of authorised sites.