21 August 2008Gypsy and Traveller sites
The Council owns and manages a permanent residential 12 plot gypsy site in Edenbridge. If you would like to apply for a plot on this site, contact the Council's Traveller Liaison Officer to request a 'Plot Application Form'. Alternatively, download and complete the Plot Application Form (
PDF 182K file details) and send it to the address below:
Traveller Liaison Officer
Private Sector Housing
Sevenoaks District Council
Council Offices
Argyle Road
Sevenoaks
Kent TN13 1GN
Call 01732 227000
e-mail: private.sector.housing@sevenoaks.gov.uk
There are also two public authority permanent residential Gypsy sites in the District which are owned and managed by the Kent County Council. If you would like to apply for a plot on either site, contact the Kent County Council on 08458 247247.
Unauthorised encampments
An unauthorised encampment is a person or group of people occupying somebody's land without their permission.
Reports and complaints of unauthorised encampments
To report an unauthorised encampment, please contact the Private Sector Housing Team.
Complaints of noise, rubbish or any other pollution matters should be reported to the Environmental Protection Team. Intimidation, threatening behaviour, vandalism or other related crime will not be tolerated and any such incidents should be reported directly to the Police. If the Police have sufficient evidence of serious breaches of the peace, disorder, or significant disruption to the community, they may require the immediate removal of the encampment.
What to do if someone is occupying your land with out your permission
If you own the land which is being occupied, you must take action to remove the unauthorised person(s) and their vehicles. It is advisable to seek legal advice or alternatively contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau before taking such action.
Also contact the Private Sector Housing Team if a person(s) are occupying your land. This will allow the Council to keep the public informed. Your local Police should also be informed.
If the group does not leave voluntarily, you can obtain a possession order through the Civil Courts requiring the removal of the trespassers from your property (including land) using Order 24 of the County Court Rules 1981 or 113 of the Rules of the Supreme Court.
Further details can be obtained by contacting your local County Court.
Further information and an application form are available on the County Court website. It is important to note that Court staff cannot give legal advice.
If a land owner refuses to take action to remove an unauthorised encampment, he may breach planning law and risks formal action by the Council.
Securing land from unauthorised entry
Carrying out works to prevent access to land to avoid unauthorised entry and encampment has an important role to play, especially in some urban areas. If no protection works are carried out after two encampments, the Council will urge the private land owner to take action.
Sevenoaks District Council has already carried out works to protect a number of vulnerable sites in their ownership and are continuing to protect other sites as they are identified.
Further information
For more information, click the following link to download some frequently asked questions about Unauthorised Encampments ( PDF 554K file details).
