By Cheryl Wood

A SECOND court order has been issued banning development of a site in north Fife which travelling people have moved onto.

An interim interdict was granted to Fife Council at Cupar Sheriff Court prohibiting 12 travellers from carrying out any work on the field near the Five Roads Roundabout and from placing and occupying any caravan there.

Anger has been mounting among nearby residents since work began without warning or planning consent almost three weeks ago.

The travellers were warned by the council to cease work as it was unauthorised, however they continued and a week ago two caravans moved in.

It is understood they were still on the land, between the A92 roundabout and St Michaels yesterday.

The first interdict was granted on October 11 to prevent the landowner from carrying out or allowing development on the land without planning consent.

The second interdict is directed at members of the six travelling families who have submitted a change of use planning application to create six permanent pitches, however papers were served only on those who could be located by sheriff officers.

Council solicitor Fraser Munro said a breach of the order could result in a fine or even imprisonment.

He said, “If the terms of the interim interdict are breached by those who have received the papers it will be open to the council to lodge fresh papers with the sheriff court, known as a breach of interdict.

“The court could ask the defender to appear in court and if a breach is proved then it will be regarded as contempt of the court’s authority and that is punishable by admonition, fine or imprisonment.”

Residents in the area fear the nearby Motray Water, which runs into the Eden Estuary, will be polluted by the work. The watercourse which runs alongside the field is also used as drinking water for cattle.

Environment agency SEPA has been alerted to concerns about materials being used on the site and has taken samples for analysis.

A handful of residents have also warned that tensions are running so high the situation could escalate into violence.

Tay Bridgehead councillor Tim Brett said, “I have been in daily contact with council officers about this and I am continuing to press them to address this issue and try to bring to a halt development on the site given the widespread local concern that has been expressed to me and other councillors.”

The travellers’ agent Forbes Marr was unavailable for comment on the latest legal move.