Matthew Green, partner at Green Planning Solutions LLP, has appeared on Sky News: Live at 5 today. Following yesterday’s last minute injunction to prevent travellers being evicted from Dale Farm by Basildon council, a growing row has started to emerge over the actions of the Council. Actions estimated to have costg £18m so far.

Matthew was commenting, as a planning expert, on the millions which could have been saved if Basildon Council had followed a different strategy.

“The council have made a mistake in taking direct action because it’s a more costly, more risky route and it will take more time,” he said.

“If they had gone down the route of seeking an injunction, the people would have been off the site four or five years ago and it would have been at a fraction of the cost and risk to public life.”

Yesterday evening Matthew was also interviewed on the Dispatches programme on Channel 4.

Sky News article and video: Has The Council Botched Dale Farm Eviction?

UPDATE: The Dispatches video is now available on 4oD – Matthew appears towards the end.

Dispatches: Gypsy Eviction: The Fight for Dale Farm