Council enforcement officers have taken action to stop a group of Travellers from carrying out further “unauthorised” works on land on the outskirts of an affluent leafy village.
Works were reported on a green belt site in Church Road, Sundridge over the Easter weekend, sparking outcry among incensed residents.
The site being cleared at a plot at the junction of Penn Lane and Church Road, Sundridge
Members of the Gypsy community allegedly arrived on the plot with diggers to convert the land into a concrete hardstand caravan site, the Daily Mail reports.
But their plans came unstuck when a large static home loaded onto a lorry got wedged in a country lane, obstructing traffic.
Tempers flared among villagers in Kent’s so-called “stockbroker belt” as the group allegedly hacked away at hedges and vegetation in a bid to free the vehicle and get it into the field.
A temporary stop notice (TSN) – a planning enforcement tool used to halt work – was issued by Sevenoaks District Council, who are investigating an alleged planning breach on Tuesday (April 7). Police were also called and made an arrest.
Meanwhile, Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott has backed residents’ protests and criticised Sevenoaks council for not acting quickly enough over the Bank Holiday.
So what action has the council taken?
A spokesman for the local authority has defended its actions.
They explained the plot at the junction of Church Road and Penn Lane has been owned by the occupiers since last October who bought it from Sundridge Parish Council.
It’s understood that planning permission has not been sought to turn it into a caravan site.
However an investigation is ongoing to look into any breaches of planning control and the TSN served prevents them from carrying out any further work until June 2.
Failure to comply with the TSN is a criminal offence for which the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine.
Why didn’t the council act over the Bank Holiday weekend?
Asked why the council didn’t act over the weekend when it did previously it responded to say: “Our officers visited the site [Church Road] over the Bank Holiday weekend on several occasions.
“The breach of planning control was identified and evidence gathered as part of our initial investigation.
“We understand local people are concerned about the potential planning breach at Church Road in Sundridge.”
In September KentOnline reported how an injunction had been served at Seasons Farm in Crockham Hill after “significant groundworks” were carried out with mobile and static caravans being set up on site.
However, the council added the works at Season’s Farm were “much more extensive” and raised more significant planning issues, with “potential harm identified to an oil pipeline of national importance”, running through the site, in addition to other planning concerns.
“Even on the Seasons Farm site, with more extensive breaches and more harm identified, the consideration of the Injunction is still ongoing as are proceedings for Contempt of Court and the breaches at Seasons’s Farm are continuing,” they added.
Were police called and what action did they take?
A police spokeswoman said officers were called to Sundridge shortly after 8am on Sunday (April 5) after reports the road was blocked by vehicles and a disturbance had broken out.
She said: “Officers attended to assist. Two traffic offence reports were issued, and a man in his 40s was arrested for obstructing a police officer.
“He was later released while inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing. The road was cleared at around 4.30pm.”
Should there be a change in the law?
Ms Trott, the shadow education secretary, has raised concerns over unauthorised developments of this nature in the past.
Following the weekend’s incident Ms Trott has called for a change in the law to stop similar actions.
LauraTrott.MP for Sevenoaks
Posting on Facebook she said: “I’m very sorry to report that, once again over a Bank Holiday weekend, an unauthorised development has been deliberately started.
‘‘This situation underlines again why we must see a change in the law.
“Flagrant breaches such as this should never be able to apply for retrospective planning consent.”
Read more: The powers authorities have to stop unauthorised traveller encampments in Kent
Read more: Travellers, the Romany and Roma in Kent: Who are they, their history, and modern social exclusion
What happens next?
A spokesman for Sevenoaks council said: “We are continuing to investigate the potential breach while considering the legal and enforcement options open to us.
“We are also waiting on external legal advice, which will influence our next steps.”
It’s understood one family has moved onto the site, which they own.
The council says enforcement action will be proportionate to any breach, taking account of government guidance and legislation as well as local planning policies.
The Parish Council says it is aware of “significant concern” among residents in both Sundridge and Ide Hill regarding the unauthorised development currently at the junction of Penn Lane and Church Road, Sundridge.
It says it remains fully committed to ensuring that all development within the parish is carried out lawfully and with the appropriate permissions from Kent County Council and Sevenoaks District Council.
“We will continue to do everything within our powers to seek a satisfactory and timely resolution to this matter,” they added.