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Dale Farm eviction starts with violence in the biggest traveller site in Europe

The eviction, which could cost up to £18m, marks the end of a 10-year battle between travellers, who bought a former scrapyard on green belt land in 2001 and established their caravans there, and the council. More travellers joined them and some semi-permanent chalet dwellings were built. Over the past few days, travellers and their supporters have reinforced the perimeter of the 49 illegal plots at the site.