Travelers have triggered outrage after occupying and rapidly converting a farm site into a caravan park in just two days, in what is believed to be an attempt to evade council intervention.
Laura Trott MP says the group arrived at Seasons Farm in Edenbridge, Kent at around 5pm on August 22 to carry out a ‘cynical’ raid.
The Sevenoaks Conservative representative suggested that the sudden setup was intended to be completed before local council officers could issue an injunction to stop the development.
And despite Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) securing a High Order on August 24, it appears building has continued at the site.
Aerial photos of the site taken on Wednesday appear to show static caravans on cleared farmland and separated into several lots by fencing.
A large manor-style house with a swimming pool is located nearby the privately owned land.
Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) dubbed the pace and scale at which the works were done ‘extraordinary’.
They further mentioned that if construction continued post-injunction, those involved might face criminal charges.
Travelers have triggered outrage after occupying and rapidly converting a farm site into a caravan park in just two days, in what is believed to be an attempt to evade council intervention.
Laura Trott MP says the group arrived at Seasons Farm in Edenbridge, Kent at around 5pm on August 22 to carry out a ‘cynical’ raid
Ms Trott, 40, said the group had ‘deliberate[ly]’ breached planning law over the Bank Holiday, claiming the incident was ‘pre-planned’.
‘Those responsible cynically began work after 5pm on Friday, clearly hoping that no action could be taken until after the long weekend,’ she said.
‘But thanks to the swift work by SDC, an injunction was secured on Saturday evening – an excellent piece of work, for which I am extremely grateful.
‘However, work appears to have continued over the weekend, including more vehicles arriving on site.’
She described the continuation of work on the site as ‘completely unacceptable,’ and stated that she has posed several urgent inquiries to the council regarding possible future actions.
‘I will remain committed to providing all necessary support to ensure that violations are addressed promptly,’ she commented. ‘Additionally, I plan to discuss this issue with Government Ministers.’
Ms Trott also continued that she wanted laws to change and ‘criminalise’ such behaviour.
‘It cannot be right that substantial, pre-planned and deliberate breaches of planning law are treated solely as civil matters as they are now,’ she continued.
The Conservative representative for Sevenoaks claimed the timing was a bid to set up before council officers could secure an injunction and halt work
Despite Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) securing a High Order on August 24, it appears building has continued at the site
‘The law must change so that such behaviour is criminalised – and those who flagrantly break the rules face the strongest penalties.’
A council spokesperson said: ‘Our Planning Enforcement Team were notified by members of the public on Friday (22/08) evening that significant groundworks were being carried out on Seasons Farm without planning permission.
‘The extraordinary pace and scale of the work that took place over the course of Saturday meant (SDC) was able to secure and serve a High Court injunction on Sunday morning.
‘Any work that has been carried out since the injunction was served could lead to those responsible being found in Contempt of Court, which is punishable with imprisonment, an unlimited fine or by assets being seized.
‘On Friday, August 29, an enforcement notice and a stop notice were served on the persons responsible.
‘Breaches of these notices would be a criminal offence, which could lead to prosecution.
Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) dubbed the pace and scale at which the works were done ‘extraordinary’
‘We understand the significant impact these unauthorised works are having on the community, and the environment, on a site that is within the Green Belt.
‘We are closely monitoring the site, recording any further activity, and gathering evidence to ensure we have the strongest possible case when we return to the High Court on September 15 to confirm the injunction.
‘We are grateful for the understanding and support we have received from the local community and the information they have provided.’
SDC confirmed that the five people listed on the injunction are Patrick Delaney, William Harrington, John Quilligan, Thomas O’Brien and Thomas Coffey.
