A High Court judge has ordered a group of travellers to leave an illegal encampment opposite the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Aldermaston site in Berkshire, where they had built 13 static homes during 2025. Judge Sylvia de Bertodano ruled that the families had "ridden roughshod over" a court injunction by deliberately moving onto the land, and warned that allowing them to remain would render future court orders "entirely toothless". The case followed concern from local residents, hundreds of whom had signed a petition after construction began beside the largest of Britain's three nuclear warhead production sites, citing fears the development could hamper emergency arrangements in place to protect people in the event of a nuclear incident.

West Berkshire Council issued a temporary stop notice in November 2025 after a planning application was submitted, but unauthorised building work continued regardless. The council subsequently obtained an injunction in December, later widened after the site grew to at least 22 pitches, restricting residential occupation and further works. The travellers had argued they should be allowed to stay until their planning application was decided, citing their rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, but the judge rejected their account of when they moved in as "entirely unconvincing", preferring the council's evidence. One family who occupied the site before the injunction was served remains exempt, while other residents have been given 28 days to leave, with 5 October cited as a likely departure date pending further submissions.