Page updated 5.30pm, Wednesday 8 April 2026
After what has been a very challenging weekend for the local community, we wanted to provide further updates as to our response, carried out, as it must, within the powers available to us.
The FAQs below seek to comprehensively address the points that have been raised by the community, confirm what formal action has been taken so far and why, and the next steps. A further update will be circulated by Friday 17 April 2026 if not before.
In the meantime, thank you for your continued patience and understanding while we move forward with the nationally prescribed planning enforcement process.
Are the works illegal?
No. Although the works on the site are unauthorised and a breach of planning control has occurred, contrary to National and Local Planning Policy. The works which have occurred are not illegal. The occupiers on the site have owned the land since 17 October 2025 as recorded on land registry having purchased it from Sundridge Parish Council.
What has been done so far and what effect will it have?
We served a Temporary Stop Notice (TSN) on Tuesday 7 April 2026. This requires the following works to cease immediately:
1. The use of the land for residential purposes except for:
1.A The stationing of one mobile home, one tourer caravan and one vehicle used for residential purposes.
2.B The occupation of a maximum of two out of the following:
- tourer caravan
- static mobile home
- vehicle used for residential purposes
2. Engineering works to facilitate the change of use including engineering works which consist of connections to utilities on the site outlined in red on the plan and hardstanding.
3. Any other operational development on the land.
Why do we have the exemptions in 1A and 1B?
These exemptions follow the legislative requirements relating to these notices and consideration of the Human Rights Act and the Equalities Act.
The TSN is in force for 56 days until 2 June 2026, and in this time we will continue to investigate the breach, obtain evidence and determine whether, before the expiry of that Notice, it is expedient and proportionate to issue an Enforcement Notice to require cessation of the use and the removal of the unauthorised works on site.
There is no right of appeal against a TSN. A breach of the TSN is a criminal offence for which the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine, if in non-compliance.
There is a right of appeal against an Enforcement Notice.
Why didn’t the Council act over the Bank Holiday weekend when it did at Season’s Farm?
Our officers visited the site over the Bank Holiday weekend on several occasions. The breach of planning control was identified and evidence gathered as part of our initial investigation.
Our approach to planning enforcement is as set out in Enforcement Plan.
In line with our Enforcement Plan, the Enforcement Team start their investigation within 1 working day (if deemed a Category A), 5 working days (if deemed a Category B) and 10 working days (if deemed a Category C). Any concerns raised during the weekend will be picked up on the next working day and be dealt with accordingly as set out above.
We understand local people are concerned about the potential planning breach at Church Road in Sundridge. However, the works at Season’s Farm were much more extensive and raised more significant planning issues, with potential harm identified to an oil pipeline of national importance, running through the site, in addition to other planning concerns. Even on the Seasons Farm site, with more extensive breaches and more harm identified, the consideration of the Injunction is still ongoing as are proceedings for Contempt of Court and the breaches at Seasons’s Farm are continuing.
Why didn’t the Council ask the High Court to grant an Injunction?
We must always bear in mind the full range of enforcement options available to us. We need to take account of the Human Rights Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty. For any breach of planning control, we need to consider what action may be expedient and proportionate based on the information available, the harm identified and any other material considerations.
In this case, other methods of enforcement such as the Temporary Stop Notice (TSN) served on 7 April 26 and the potential for an Enforcement Notice, were considered to be the most effective options following external legal advice.
Whilst Injunctions can be a powerful tool, the powers of an Injunction are limited and only available at the Court’s discretion. The Courts will expect other methods of enforcement to be considered and to use an Injunction only where other methods of enforcement are insufficient. The TSN served restricts the future threat to the site. Where there is less risk of a future threat, an Injunction may be refused by the Court.
What happens next?
We will continue to visit the site frequently to record any changes and continue gathering evidence, which will be used to inform what actions are taken next. A further site visit has been conducted today due to new concerns raised by residents on an alleged breach to the TSN, which we are currently reviewing.
You can continue to email us with any new information about activities on the site, including photos and video. Please send these to planning.enforcement@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
You can also use this email address if you wish to be kept up to date about this site.
The site is in the Green Belt and the Kent Downs National Landscape. The trees on site are not protected with a Tree Preservation Order. With the TSN in place, we can now undertake a robust assessment of the impact of the unauthorised use and works and consider the potential harm to biodiversity and the public highway to assess if it is expedient and proportionate to serve an enforcement notice and / or take other action.
The owners of the site have co-operated with our Planning Enforcement team which has been helpful for the investigation.