Karl Kavanagh, the 48-year-old owner of Hampshire-based KK Construction, has been linked to facilitating the creation of illegal encampments, including a recent incident where a wildlife haven was allegedly bulldozed over a bank holiday weekend. Vehicles owned by Kavanagh's firm were filmed being escorted off a site in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, by police following an injunction.
Residents in Sawbridgeworth cheered as the machinery owned by KK Construction was driven away after a High Court order was imposed, warning that further work at the site could lead to arrest. The destruction of the wildlife haven reportedly began on a Friday, just before the bank holiday weekend, with heavy machinery brought onto the land. Construction work continued through the weekend and into Monday morning, despite protests from hundreds of local residents.
An emergency High Court order was issued on Saturday evening, temporarily halting further development and occupation by caravans. However, construction persisted. The local council subsequently obtained a strengthened injunction, which included powers of arrest for any breaches, and this was served on those occupying the land on Monday.
This incident in Hertfordshire follows previous revelations linking Kavanagh to similar activities. In May, he was exposed for arranging large deliveries of aggregate to unauthorized sites in Surrey during the May Bank Holiday weekend. At the time, Kavanagh stated he was a subcontractor organizing materials for a main contractor and did not know the specific use, though he acknowledged the possibility of them being for traveler sites.
Vehicles owned by KK Construction were also reportedly present at a site in West Chiltington, West Sussex, near the Nyetimber sparkling wine estate, where heavy machinery moved onto a field. Work continued there throughout the bank holiday weekend, resulting in the development of a caravan site, despite the presence of council officers and police. Kavanagh has denied involvement in the Sawbridgeworth site, initially claiming he was unaware his vans were present, and declined further comment after being shown a photograph of himself at the location.
The pattern of alleged land grabs often occurs over bank holiday weekends, when council offices are closed, allowing construction to proceed before authorities can intervene. This can lead to a situation where significant development, such as laying tarmac and establishing pitches, occurs before planning permission is sought, initiating lengthy and costly legal processes for local authorities.
In a separate incident on the same Friday, travelers began constructing another caravan site on greenbelt land in Rochford, Essex. Despite Rochford Council issuing a Stop Notice on Saturday, construction continued over the weekend. Residents in the area have expressed frustration over perceived inaction by the local council.
East Herts Council has stated that they will continue to collaborate with Hertfordshire Police and other partners to monitor the Sawbridgeworth site and prevent further unauthorized works. The council has acknowledged resident frustration and is committed to using available legal powers to address unauthorized development.