A Travellers group has moved from the council car park at the rear of Dreamland this morning – but vans have now set up at Jackey Bakers in Ramsgate.
An Order of Removal was served on the group in Margate yesterday (May 25) after being granted by the county court.
The group arrived on site on Monday with around six vans. That grew to around 16 vans by yesterday.
The site is now clear of vans and a road sweeper is attempting to clear debris left behind.
But around 15 caravans are now parked up on the Jackey Bakers field, with a smaller number parked at Minnis Bay.
If Thanet council has to apply to the courts for an eviction notice it will cost some £226. If further hearings are necessary, this can go up to £355 each time.
The council must follow a set procedure that is based on Government guidance. This procedure includes proving ownership of the land, carrying out assessments for the health, welfare and education criteria, and assessing the impact of the encampment on its location and local neighbourhood.
Once these have been carried out the council can use this information for the service of notices and summonses to apply for a court order for eviction.
‘Horse fair’
Further settlements this year have taken place at St Nicholas, Manston Tesco and land by the Manston airport site, which is currently in use by a Travelling group.
The group, thought to be Irish Pavee Travellers, have eight caravans and also horses on Kent County Council owned land by the airport. They are expected to leave after the weekend.
A spokesman for KCC’s Gypsy and Traveller Service said: “We understand they are in Thanet for a horse fair this Bank Holiday weekend and intend to leave shortly afterwards.
“If that is not the case, we will take the appropriate action to have them removed from the site.”
Providing Traveller sites – the law
The Housing Act 2004 and Planning Circular 01/2006, Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites, has put in place a framework which means every local authority has to identify land for the sites that are needed in its area. The Secretary of State has powers that can ensure that those sites are identified, and the Local Government Association (LGA) says local authorities should be proactive in doing so.
The LGA adds: “The provision of these sites removes a major cause of friction between the two communities – unauthorised sites and illegal camping.”
The nearest authorised areas to Thanet are at Aylesham and Canterbury but according to Kent County Council there are currently no plots available at these sites.
