Kent Villagers Accuse Police of 'Aiding' Travellers in Easter Weekend Land Row
Residents of the picturesque village of Sundridge in Kent have launched scathing accusations against local police, claiming officers "aided and abetted" a group of travellers who descended on their community over the Easter weekend. The controversy erupted when a family arrived under cover of darkness on Friday, using diggers and machinery to convert a green field into a hardstand caravan site without planning permission.
Road Blockage and Police Intervention
The situation escalated dramatically on Sunday when a three-bedroom static caravan being transported on a lorry became wedged in New Road, a major country lane in the village. The blockage prevented locals from passing through, leading to confrontations that saw one resident arrested for obstructing police.
Furious villagers claim that instead of forcing the stuck lorry to turn back, police officers actively facilitated the travellers' operation, leaving the vehicle blocking the road until 4am on Monday morning. John Evans, chairman of Sundridge with Ide Hill Parish Council, told the Daily Mail: "The entire village have had their Easter weekend ruined. We had better things to do than this. The police aided and facilitated a totally illegal operation, and then they threatened us with obstruction."
Planning Permission Dispute
Although the family purchased the plot of land at auction in October last year, they never received planning permission to transform the landscape into a paved caravan site. The field, situated at the junction of Penn Lane and Church Road, was reportedly sold to Miles Martin Connors.
Sevenoaks District Council confirmed that the family legally owns the land but issued a Temporary Stop Notice (TSN) on Tuesday night, using this planning enforcement tool to halt the unauthorized development. The travellers must now apply for retrospective planning permission.
Residents' Outrage and Concerns
Local residents expressed profound frustration over the situation. One homeowner whose property overlooks the new caravan site described how it has "totally" ruined his countryside view and fears his home's value will decrease. "I feel horrible. I think it is absolutely disgraceful what's happened," he said, noting that deer and pheasants he used to photograph will no longer visit the field.
Another resident, Judy Jarvis, who has lived in Sundridge for 30 years, stated: "We were just appalled to hear what was going on. It's awful because there should not be houses there. It's not just a fun weekend caravan - it's [like] a house."
Many villagers highlighted the perceived double standard in planning regulations. One local noted the difficulty of obtaining permission for even minor alterations in the village, where homes often sell for over £2 million, while the field was "destroyed" without authorization.
Police and Council Responses
Kent Police stated they were called to New Road shortly after 8am on Sunday following reports of a stuck HGV blocking the road. Officers discovered several cars blocking the HGV and closed the road to manage the situation. A man in his 40s was arrested for obstructing a police officer but was later released pending further enquiries.
The police issued traffic offence reports to the lorry driver for failing to have a tachograph installed and to another driver for careless driving. The road was cleared around 4.30pm.
A spokesperson for Sevenoaks District Council said: "Our officers visited the site on several occasions over the bank holiday weekend as part of our response to the alleged planning breach. We are continuing to investigate and are considering the other legal and enforcement options open to us."
The council emphasized that enforcement action would be proportionate to any breach, taking into account Government guidance, legislation, and local planning policies.
Political Reaction
Laura Trott, MP for Sevenoaks and shadow education secretary, previously condemned the council for failing to take immediate action. The incident has sparked broader concerns about planning law enforcement and community relations in the Kent stockbroker belt.
As of Wednesday, the new owner could be seen working to flatten the hard base laid down over the weekend. The field, which features a water standpipe and electrical supply, had been cleared of trees and foliage, with two large Calor gas bottles for cooking and heat now standing next to a static home on the site.
