The small Kent hamlet of Sandway, comprising just 17 houses, has seen five unauthorised traveller sites established in the last nine months, prompting frustration among residents who claim the developments have negatively impacted local property values and their way of life. The situation is described as emblematic of challenges faced by rural communities across Britain.
Aerial photographs depict multiple caravan sites along a stretch of road within the hamlet, with an additional site located slightly further away. Locals have expressed a reluctance to speak openly for fear of reprisal. One anonymous resident stated that the developments have lowered house values and altered the character of the area, leading to unease about safety on certain roads.
Residents are urging Maidstone Borough Council to take action against the unauthorised developments. Concerns have been raised about the process of establishing these sites, with locals feeling a disparity between the perceived ease of setting up traveller sites and the stringent planning permission requirements they face for minor alterations to their own properties. One resident noted the significant effort required to obtain permission for tasks such as painting a door, contrasting it with the rapid establishment of mobile homes on new sites.
One of the newly established sites, near The Wishful Thinker pub, reportedly began with topsoil removal in May, which residents immediately reported to the council. However, a council officer initially concluded the land was intended for horse grazing, with no apparent breach of planning permission. Residents allege that significant groundwork, including hedge removal and installation of utilities, occurred over a subsequent bank holiday weekend, followed by the placement of a mobile home. A retrospective planning application has since been submitted for this site.
The issue has also been highlighted by the Lenham Parish Council chairman, Cllr John Britt, who confirmed six sites in and around Sandway. He emphasized that the core problem is a lack of a formal policy from the Local Planning Authority, Maidstone Borough Council, to designate suitable locations for Gypsy, Travelling, and Show people's communities. This, he stated, has been a missing element since the last formal assessment in 2011, creating an unfair situation for both travelling and settled communities.
Mixed views exist among residents. Some express understanding about the need for travellers to find accommodation and note that the travellers have not caused direct problems, with some reporting more disturbance from local pub patrons. Others, however, voice concerns about potential environmental issues, such as foul water disposal and fires, and the perceived decline in the area's appearance, likening it to a "scrapyard."
A spokesperson for Maidstone council stated that the concerns are understood and that investigations into planning issues and complaints are underway. The council is reviewing evidence to determine the appropriate course of action, and further comment is pending the conclusion of these investigations.