Gypsies face eviction

Councillors at last Thursday's meeting backed planners who said the three caravans, motor vehicles and a container are illegally parked on the land off Stonehurst Lane, Hadlow Down.

Their decision to take action that could evict the family from the site follows a complex sequence of planning applications and notices to quit.

But they face problems over establishing exactly who owns the land which must be made clear before action can be taken.

Officers say the site has a long enforcement history and worries both local residents and members of Hadlow Down Parish Council.

Permission to use the land was first refused in 1995 and followed by applications to house a bull in barn, change the entrance and put two caravans in the field.

Representing the unnamed occupier of the site, London solicitor Donald Kenrick told the Express: 'So far four people have had to leave their families in Greenwich when the site overflowed; as far as I know some have gone to Maidstone and one has gone to Sussex.

Mr Kenrick cited a report from Birmingham University to the Deputy Prime Minister which said 1-2,000 new pitches for Romany families were needed.

'They are genuine Romany families and want their own places.'

A Hadlow Down parish council spokesman explained the problem with obscure land use came about when Old Court Lodge was sold off as individual fields.

He said there were no buildings, 'then chicken sheds started appearing all over the place'.

'No-one knows who is doing it.'

The site is locked and carries warning and no-entry notices.