The 27th Traveller incursion in Thanet this year has now been reported with yet another encampment at Jackey Bakers in Ramsgate.
The group have entered the playing field via the Sainsbury’s side entrance this evening (July 5).
It comes less than a fortnight after a previous group of Travellers were moved on from the site. Some 16 caravans are currently on the field.
Furious residents are in the process of notifying police and ward councillor Stuart Piper. Witnesses say the fence to the park has once again been pulled down.
The incursion comes days after residents handed a petition in to Thanet council demanding a secure barrier for the green which has been targeted on numerous occasions during the last three years.
Jackey Bakers has been used twice previously in June and once in May and by two separate groups last June. There was also a large encampment at the site in July 2016.
The process
Council land
For council-owned land Thanet council would need to obtain a ‘direction to leave’ order from magistrates’ court.
To do this the authority has to:
- Show that the gypsies/travellers are on the land without consent.
- Have regard to the general health and welfare of the group and the children’s education.
- Ensure that the Human Rights Act 1998 has been fully complied with.
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.
Private land
For privately-owned land the landowner can attempt to agree a leaving date with the travellers or take proceedings in the County Court under the Civil Procedures Rules 1998 to obtain a court order for their eviction as trespassers.
The landowner may be in breach of planning legislation and the Caravan Sites Act 1960 unless they have already obtained planning permission for a caravan site.
If there is no planning permission the council may take proceedings against the landowner to require removal of the illegally parked caravans.
