Local Residents in Kent Demand Police Intervention After Illegal Traveller Encampment
Residents of a wealthy village in Kent have raised concerns about an unauthorized encampment that has disrupted the peace of their community. The incident has sparked outrage among locals, who are now calling for stronger legal measures to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
The village of Sundridge, located in the stockbroker belt of Kent, is known for its high property values, with homes often selling for over £2 million. However, this tranquility was recently shattered when a group of travellers arrived unannounced and began making significant changes to the land.
Under the cover of darkness, the travellers brought in heavy machinery and started clearing a field near Sevenoaks. During the Easter bank holiday, when local council offices were closed, they began construction work on the site. Over the weekend, up to 30 lorries arrived, dumping rubble and flattening the field to create a hard-standing area.
On Sunday, families of the traveller community, including those with young children, moved onto the site. However, their plans faced a setback when a large three-bedroom static home became wedged in the narrow lane, causing an obstruction. In response, the travellers started removing hedges and undergrowth along the road to create a path for the lorry.
Angry villagers took to the streets, attempting to block the vehicles from accessing the field. This led to one arrest on Sunday morning. A local resident described the situation as alarming, stating that the travellers had torn down trees and hedges that did not belong to them. He expressed frustration at the lack of action from authorities, emphasizing that the land is part of the green belt and requires planning approval.
Councillor Nigel Williams, representing both Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council, criticized the situation, calling it a “military-style operation.” He highlighted the illegal actions taken by the travellers, including pulling down trees and creating hard standing for vehicles and homes. The councillor also noted that the travellers used cars to prevent villagers from leaving the area.
Fears of further confrontations have prompted the parish council to warn residents against approaching the site. Laura Trott, the MP for Sevenoaks and shadow education secretary, has called for legislative changes to prevent such incidents. She expressed disappointment with the council’s delayed response, emphasizing the need for immediate action against illegal developments.
Trott shared her concerns on Facebook, highlighting the repeated nature of such incidents during bank holidays. She stated that she had contacted the district council and the police upon learning of the situation. The MP also criticized the council for not taking immediate action, stressing the importance of enforcing laws to prevent similar breaches.
It is reported that the field at the junction of Penn Lane and Church Road was recently sold at auction. Karl Brooks commented on the ease with which individuals can purchase land and carry out unauthorized developments during periods when enforcement teams are not active.
A spokesperson for Sundridge with Ide Hill Parish Council expressed disappointment with the delay in action due to the Easter bank holiday. They acknowledged the residents’ concerns and emphasized the need for swift intervention.
Kent Police confirmed that they were called to the scene shortly after 8am on Sunday. Two traffic offence reports were issued, and a man in his 40s was arrested for obstructing a police officer. The individual was later released while investigations continue. The road was cleared by around 4:30pm.
The situation in Sundridge highlights the growing tension between local communities and unauthorized developments. As the legal system grapples with how to address such issues, residents remain determined to protect their land and way of life.
