Unauthorised car park near Stansted Airport grows after notice
An unauthorized car park near Stansted Airport has expanded significantly despite receiving an enforcement notice to shut down. Customers have reported poor conditions, including damaged vehicles and overcrowded transport services.
Why it matters
It highlights the challenges local councils face in regulating rogue businesses that exploit high demand for airport parking.
Image source, John Fairhall/BBC Image caption, New Farm, near the village of Elsenham, Essex, started offering alternative parking to Stansted Airport in early 2025
An unauthorised car park near Stansted Airport has grown by nearly two-thirds since it was served with an enforcement notice to shut, a BBC investigation has found.
The facility was set up in early 2025 at New Farm, near the village of Elsenham, Essex, offering an alternative, cheaper option to nearby Stansted Airport.
But customers described scenes of "mayhem" when they returned from holiday to find overcrowded transport, along with damaged and dirty cars and long waits for collection.
The business directors and a service provider linked to the site have not responded to requests for comment and Uttlesford District Council, which issued the notice, said it would continue to monitor until an appeal was heard.
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