Sevenoaks residents complain about plans for more Gypsy and Traveller sites - Kent

From the Sevenoaks Chronicle

RESIDENTS have slammed plans to locate Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Sevenoaks area.

Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) has launched an appeal to find suitable pitches following a Government directive to address the increasing Traveller population.

Parish and town councils are being asked to contribute ideas for possible pitches while land bosses prepare a draft Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Plan to identify and allocate sites to meet the existing and future (to 2026) accommodation needs of the travelling community.

But residents have criticised SDC for seemingly prioritising Gypsies' and Travellers' needs above their own.

Writing on the Chronicle's Facebook page, Francesca Paige suggested SDC "concentrate on social housing" first, pointing out she has been on the waiting list for a residence for eight years with no success.

Keirrie Parsons echoed her thoughts, noting: "I'd love to move back to the town I grew up in, where my children are still at school and where my partner works, but unfortunately due to high private rental costs we are now living 12 miles away.

"Without sounding like I'm being rude, maybe start helping locals with their housing issues first."

Paula Hobbs advised SDC to "help tax-paying individuals" before taking on the Traveller community, while Inga Heath said: "I do wonder what this council is up to – are they intent on ruining Sevenoaks?

"Have they ever seen some of these sites and the effect on the surrounding areas? Sorry to generalise and I am aware not all Travellers may be like this."

Meanwhile, parish councils told the Chronicle they were awaiting a full discussion of the issue before volunteering sites.

Philip McGarvey, chairman of Farningham Parish Council, said: "Farningham has been consulted about this, as have all the parishes in the area. We already have five pitches with ten caravans.

"They are there on a three-year temporary permission. The parish council is discussing the consultation and cannot speculate about what may happen."

And Julie Hoad, clerk to Hartley Parish Council, said they were full.

"The planning committee will be recommending that SDC be informed that this council consider there is sufficient provision of sites for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling Showpeople in the area and that it does not consider there are any sites in the parish of Hartley which would be suitable as a new site," she said.