Land at Clement Street, Sutton at Hone – Travelling Showpeople encampment – Updated 28th September 2023
The Local Planning Authority (LPA) are aware of the arrival of a number of static and touring caravans as well as fairground equipment and vehicles associated with Travelling Showpeople at land to the south of Clement Street, east of M25 and west of Church Road. It is understood that this commenced on Friday 10th March 23 and continued over the weekend of 11th-12th March 2023.
In response to this incursion, the LPA visited the site on Monday 13th March 23 and instructed solicitors with a view to placing an Injunction on the land. The necessary paperwork was submitted to the High Court on Tuesday 14th March 23 and a Court Hearing was granted to take place on 15th March 23. In the morning of Wednesday 15th March 2023, the Judge ruled in the Council’s favour and granted an interim Injunction Order.
This Injunction Order prevents any FURTHER development from taking place on the land. A further Hearing took place on Friday 24th March 23 where the Council were successful in securing a continuation of the Injunction until such time as planning application DA/23/00122/COU “Change of use of land for a Showpeople's Family Quarters to form 7 permanent plots for travelling show people with associated equipment storage, equipment washing and testing area, access, amenity, SUDs, landscaping and earth bunds” (recently made valid) is determined or, 24 September 2023, whichever is the sooner. The planning application has not yet been determined as there are outstanding matters that will need to be addressed by the applicant. As such, the Hearing has been re-listed for Monday 27th November 2023 in anticipation of the planning application having been determined. At that Hearing, the judge will consider whether the Injunction will continue. The LPA will need to consider its options with regards to enforcement action to address the current occupation of the site in due course and pending the outcome of the aforementioned planning application and Court Hearing.
Now that the planning application is valid, local residents will be given an opportunity to make a representation. If you wish to make a representation you can do so via: https://publicaccess.dartford.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE COMPLETING AN ONLINE FORM; IT WILL HELP YOU DECIDE IF WHAT CONCERNS YOU IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNCIL CAN INVESTIGATE.
Many domestic extensions do not require planning permission. You can check whether or not an extension is considered to be permitted development not requiring planning permission. You can check whether there are any planning applications relating to the property you are concerned about.
A breach of planning control takes place when development is undertaken without planning permission.
This can include:
- Building or engineering works or the material change of use of a property or land;
- The carrying out of development not in accordance with a planning permission, either by varying from an approved plan or by failing to comply with conditions attached to a permission;
- The carrying out of works to a listed building without consent;
- The felling or carrying out of works to a tree which is the subject of a Tree Preservation Order or which is in a Conservation Area;
- The demolition of a building within a Conservation Area
Except for works to listed buildings, displaying unauthorised advertisements and carrying out works to protected trees, most breaches of planning control are not in themselves, criminal offences.
If planning permission is not required, then the Council are unable to take any action.
The following are typical examples of activities which are NOT normally breaches of planning control and will not therefore be investigated:
- Boundary/land ownership disputes;
- On-street parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas;
- Discussions having taken place about possible building works or conversions, but work has not commenced;
- Operating a business from home where the residential use remains the primary use and there is minimal adverse impact on the area;
- Stationing of a touring caravan or motorhome within the curtilage of a house;
- Clearing land of undergrowth, bushes and trees provided they are not subject to a Tree Preservation Order and are not within a Conservation Area;
- Road safety matters
If your complaint falls within any of the above categories we will not investigate the complaint.
If you believe that a breach of planning control has occurred, then you must use an Report a Planning Breach Form to report it. Please ensure all information provided is as accurate and as detailed as possible. Failure to provide a completed form is likely to result in the complaint not being investigated. If you have evidence of the alleged breach of planning control please attach this when invited to do so.
If your complaint is to do with works to listed buildings, works to trees that are subject to a Tree Preservation Order or in a Conservation Area, or to do with an existing or ongoing investigation, then you can contact Planning Enforcement on 01322 343434 or by contacting Planning.Enforcement All other types of planning enforcement complaint must be reported using the Report a Planning Breach Form.
ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU GIVE US WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED UNLESS YOU CHOOSE TO ALLOW IT TO BE MADE PUBLIC.
Please note that officers will not investigate anonymous complaints.
Dartford Planning Enforcement Plan
The Council has agreed a Planning Enforcement Plan. This gives advice on what a breach of planning control involves, and how an investigation will be conducted, It also sets out the priorities for action with regard to reported breaches.
The Dartford Planning Enforcement Plan will be reviewed annually but updated as necessary. If you have any comments to make on the Dartford Planning Enforcement Plan, please contact Planning Enforcement.
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