![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/H0M4NY5I5W8UYWZLL8VP.jpg\")
The site being cleared at a plot at the junction of Penn Lane and Church Road, Sundridge<\/p>\nCouncil enforcement officers have taken action to stop a group of Travellers from carrying out further \u201cunauthorised\u201d works on land on the outskirts of an affluent leafy village.<\/p>\n
Works were reported on a green belt site in Church Road, Sundridge over the Easter weekend, sparking outcry among incensed residents.<\/p>\n
The site being cleared at a plot at the junction of Penn Lane and Church Road, Sundridge<\/p>\n
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<\/a>.<\/p>\n But their plans came unstuck when a large static home loaded onto a lorry got wedged in a country lane, obstructing traffic.<\/p>\n Tempers flared among villagers in Kent\u2019s so-called \u201cstockbroker belt\u201d as the group allegedly hacked away at hedges and vegetation in a bid to free the vehicle and get it into the field.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott has backed residents\u2019 protests and criticised Sevenoaks council for not acting quickly enough over the Bank Holiday.<\/p>\n So what action has the council taken?<\/p>\n A spokesman for the local authority has defended its actions.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It\u2019s understood that planning permission has not been sought to turn it into a caravan site.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Failure to comply with the TSN is a criminal offence for which the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine.<\/p>\n Why didn\u2019t the council act over the Bank Holiday weekend?<\/p>\n Asked why the council didn\u2019t act over the weekend when it did previously it responded to say: \u201cOur officers visited the site [Church Road] over the Bank Holiday weekend on several occasions.<\/p>\n \u201cThe breach of planning control was identified and evidence gathered as part of our initial investigation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe understand local people are concerned about the potential planning breach at Church Road in Sundridge.\u201d<\/p>\n In September KentOnline reported how an injunction had been served at Seasons Farm in Crockham Hill after \u201csignificant groundworks\u201d were carried out with mobile and static caravans being set up on site.<\/a><\/p>\n However, the council added the works at Season\u2019s Farm were \u201cmuch more extensive\u201d and raised more significant planning issues, with \u201cpotential harm identified to an oil pipeline of national importance\u201d, running through the site, in addition to other planning concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cEven 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\u2019s Farm are continuing,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n Were police called and what action did they take?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cOfficers attended to assist. Two traffic offence reports were issued, and a man in his 40s was arrested for obstructing a police officer.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was later released while inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing. The road was cleared at around 4.30pm.\u201d<\/p>\n Should there be a change in the law?<\/p>\n Ms Trott, the shadow education secretary, has raised concerns over unauthorised developments of this nature in the past.<\/p>\n Following the weekend\u2019s incident Ms Trott has called for a change in the law to stop similar actions.<\/p>\n Posting on Facebook she said: \u201cI\u2019m very sorry to report that, once again over a Bank Holiday weekend, an unauthorised development has been deliberately started.<\/p>\n \u2018\u2018This situation underlines again why we must see a change in the law.<\/p>\n \u201cFlagrant breaches such as this should never be able to apply for retrospective planning consent.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: The powers authorities have to stop unauthorised traveller encampments in Kent<\/a><\/p>\n![\"LauraTrott.MP](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7EQC2DPIZ2XY3R7YGK06.jpg\")
LauraTrott.MP for Sevenoaks<\/p>\n