High Court continues injunction on land next to nuclear weapons facility
Emmaline Lambert represented West Berkshire District Council in High Court proceedings concerning an injunction against Travellers who had moved onto land adjacent to the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, in a widely reported case.
Following a 4-day hearing, the High Court has granted the application of West Berkshire District Council to continue an injunction under s.187B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 on land adjacent to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston against 74 named defendants and Persons Unknown.
The key point for the court to determine was whether occupiers had moved on to the land before the without notice interim injunction order was granted in December 2025. A further argument made by the Defendants was that planning permission was likely to be granted for the change of use of the site.
Expert evidence was heard from witnesses from the Council, the Ministry of Defence and AWE Aldermaston regarding the enforcement investigation and process, planning merits, the threat to UK security and the Continuous at Sea Deterrent arising from additional pressure on the Off-Site Emergency Plan and safety of the occupiers and wider area in the event of a no-notice emergency arising from AWE Aldermaston.
Emmaline Lambert represented West Berkshire District Council throughout these proceedings, assisted by Sharon Armour (solicitor for the Council). Evidence was heard from Fenella Woods, Carolyn Richardson, Cheryl Willett, Tom Bennington and Person AE (under an anonymity order granted on application).
This case has been reported widely by the media, including the BBC and the Daily Mail.
Find the full judgment here.
