High Court grants council injunction preventing overnight camping for airshow

Tendring District Council has secured a High Court injunction banning Clacton Classic Air Show visitors from camping alongside the seafront overnight in tents, campervans or mobile homes.

Tendring has been organising the free air show, which takes place over Clacton's seafront, for three decades.

Cllr Ivan Henderson, the council's Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said the local authority has had issues with unauthorised encampments in previous years.

He said: "We now take all the steps we can to prevent this happening – and the injunction has proved effective in deterring and handling problems that arise.

"It ensures that everyone can enjoy the airshow and find a spot along the Essex Sunshine Coast with a good view, without having to camp out."

The injunction, which was granted on Wednesday (31 July), runs from 15 August through to 31 August.

It covers specified areas in Clacton and applies to any campervan, mobile home, caravan or tent.

The air show itself is set to take place on 22 and 23 August and could attract as many as 250,000 visitors.

The injunction, which was made in favour of Tendring District Council and Essex County Council, follows a similar format to those made in previous years.

Failing to obey the order means someone can be held in contempt of court.

Adam Carey