OCCUPANTS of 23 mobile homes in Newent face eviction after the District Council evoked an enforcement order on the landowner Sandyway Nurseries. It is believed that the majority of the 63 people living on site are migrant agricultural workers from Eastern Europe who are employed at associated businesses not directly associated with Sandyway Nursery in Redmarley Road, Newent. The site owner Jacob Van der Lely said that he initially installed the mobile homes for Haygrove Fruit Limited's nursery supervisors after demands were put upon him by the company and that he has been negotiating with the planning authority ever since. He submitted retrospective permission for 12 mobile homes in 2008 Another application in June 2011 sought permission for 21 mobile homes for the stationing of accommodation for its essential workers.

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