Cambridge College Faces Scrutiny Over Sale of Land for Traveller Site

Trinity College, a prominent institution within Cambridge University, is facing scrutiny regarding its involvement in the 2016 sale of a field that has since been developed into an unauthorized caravan site. The college retains a legal interest in the land, requiring it to approve any future sale until November 2044, according to Land Registry records.

Local officials are questioning the due diligence conducted by the college before approving the £100,000 sale to travellers John Eastwood and Rachel Hilden. They are also seeking clarification on whether Trinity College can leverage its ongoing interest to help resolve the situation.

Travellers began unauthorized work on the land near Hockley, Essex, on August 28, shortly after council offices closed for the bank holiday weekend. This activity led Rochford Council to issue a stop notice on August 29 and subsequently secure a High Court injunction prohibiting further development or occupation of the land.

Trinity College, which possesses extensive landholdings across Britain, commonly employs 30-year overage agreements on land sales. These agreements allow the college to claim a share of any future increase in land value if planning permission is granted. The college's significant wealth originates from land and endowments bestowed by Henry VIII following the dissolution of monasteries.

Ashingdon Parish Council chairman David Catchpole indicated that the college's continued link to the property warrants further investigation by Rochford Council's planning officers. Another local parish councillor called for an explanation from Trinity College regarding the checks performed before the 2016 sale, suggesting that without the sale, the site might not exist today.

A district councillor, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of traveller-related issues, stated that while the council is pursuing legal action with the injunction, more information is needed about the college's interest and what additional legal steps it could take.

Mr. Eastwood and Ms. Hilden purchased the field from Daniel and Marrion Squier, who had acquired it from Trinity College in November 2014. The 2016 sale proceeded despite local concerns that the purchase was intended to establish an unauthorized traveller site. A retrospective planning application for 15 pitches, including mobile homes and touring caravans, has since been submitted and has attracted over 100 objections from residents and local Conservative MP Mark Francois.

Rochford Council had been monitoring the site since the 2016 sale, anticipating potential unauthorized development. Within weeks of the purchase, land-clearing activities began, triggering an investigation. In August 2016, Mr. Eastwood started clearing scrub from the site, asserting at the time that there were no plans for a traveller site.

Despite a temporary stop notice issued in September 2016 following the removal of a hedgerow to create a new entrance, the landowners assured the council of no intention to site caravans. The new access was subsequently approved. Caravans appeared on the land in October 2016, prompting another stop notice, though the owners denied ownership of the vehicles, which were later removed.

In May 2017, Mr. Eastwood requested street naming and a postcode for the site, named Fairways. Large ornate iron gates were installed at the entrance, with the owners stating they were to deter fly-tipping.

Joint inquiries by Rochford and Basildon councils into potential links between the purchase and members of the Eastwood traveller family from Basildon, including former footballer Freddy Eastwood, were unable to establish a connection. The land was used for boot sales in July 2017, though a retrospective planning application was refused. In November 2019, it was used as an unauthorized race track before ceasing that activity.

A Rochford Council spokesman emphasized that the land's ownership history is not relevant to the current planning enforcement actions, which are based on planning merits and available evidence. The council investigates alleged breaches of planning control regardless of land ownership. The spokesman declined to comment further on the parties involved in ongoing legal proceedings.

The Squier family confirmed that the college's involvement is a matter of public record but declined to comment. Trinity College did not respond to requests for comment.