Fire ravages outbuildings and caravan at controversial haulage yard in Henham

A controversial haulage yard in Mill Road, Henham, has been razed by fire.

Crews from Stansted, Newport, Dunmow and Thaxted stations battled the blaze at Hill Top Yard after Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 11.19pm on Tuesday (April 14).

When they arrived, firefighters found an outbuilding 10m by 10m (33ft by 33ft) and a caravan were engulfed by flames. Another outbuilding was 50% alight.

Their efforts to tackle the fire were complicated by cylinders on the site, but the fire was extinguished by 1.30am on Wednesday (April 15). Crews remained at the scene to monitor hotspots and damp down before leaving at 6am. Firefighters are expected to return at noon for further checks.

Hill Top Yard has been the subject of a number of planning battles in the village since the 1960s. In 2015, owner Michael Maloney's application to change its use from a yard to a traveller site with five pitches and a toilet block was refused and dismissed at appeal.

In 2017, despite more than 140 objections from villagers, Mr Maloney was granted permission to retain 10 of 20 lampposts on the 0.5-acre (0.2ha) site after arguing that they were essential for the safety of his children as vehicles manoeuvred after darkness.

Enforcement action relating to a breach of this permission remains outstanding. Uttlesford District Council also took action against illegal commercial car parking on the land.