Residents in Kent, known as the Garden of England, are furious after a wave of illegal Traveller developments has swept across the county, with at least 10 unauthorised sites appearing in recent months. The tiny hamlet of Sandway, 10 miles west of Maidstone, has become a hotspot, with five unauthorised sites appearing in just nine months. Across Kent, at least five other illegal developments have popped up this year alone, leaving communities frustrated and angry.
Pattern of Abuse
The developments follow a similar pattern: land is purchased privately, then heavy machinery moves in without warning to lay down hardstanding rubble and hook up utilities. Once static caravans are installed, developers submit retrospective planning applications. Even when local councils reject these submissions, the ensuing legal battles drag on for months or even years, allowing occupants to reside on the land or lease pitches out to tenants while the courts process the dispute.
Historic Context
Kent’s historic demand for seasonal farm labour has long meant it has accommodated a significant Traveller population. Census figures show 5,405 residents in the county identify as Gypsy or Irish Traveller, with districts like Maidstone, Swale and Ashford holding some of the highest proportions in the country. While advocacy groups maintain there is a severe shortage of authorised pitches, frustrated locals argue this does not justify bypassing national planning laws.
Bank Holiday Tactics
To avoid immediate council intervention, developers frequently strike during Bank Holiday weekends when enforcement offices are closed. In Sunbridge, over the Easter weekend, around 30 lorries descended on a quiet field, dumping hardstanding material before static homes arrived. Angry villagers attempted to blockade the road, leading to the arrest of one local. In Hoath, near Canterbury, work went ahead over the May Bank Holiday despite Canterbury City Council having already refused planning permission for a three-caravan site.
Enforcement Challenges
Attempts by local authorities to enforce planning law are hitting costly roadblocks. Near the M2 at Wigmore Coach Park, initial eviction efforts failed after a planning inspector ruled there was an insufficient supply of local pitches. As a result, council taxpayers now face a potential £2.7million bill to construct a fully serviced, permanent site at the location. Near Sir Winston Churchill’s former estate at Chartwell, a field was converted into a caravan site in under 48 hours, and 10 individuals were recently found in contempt of High Court injunctions for continuing drainage work on the land, leaving them facing potential prison sentences.
Residents' Anger
Residents are particularly frustrated by the double standards. Sarah, 35, a Sandway resident, said: "It is frustrating that I have to go through planning permission to paint my door and they can put a stonking great mobile home there and it is all fine." Another local villager said: "We’re all absolutely livid. This is green belt land. You can’t do anything without planning approval but this group of people have just put two fingers up and carried on regardless."
With councils struggling to keep pace, calls are mounting for urgent legislative reform, including a ban on retrospective planning applications for caravan sites and expanded powers for the police to clear unpermitted developments immediately.
