Residents of a quiet village next to the green belt were left wide-eyed after a travelling showmen's site pitched up at a farm overnight.

Villagers in Bean reported the arrival of 12 caravans plus a number of other vehicles at Drudgeon Farm during the evening of Friday, September 6.

Within hours roadway had been laid and approximately 900 feet of wooden post and rail fencing had been erected.

A sign was also posted outside the site in School Lane stating 'Showmen’s Winter Quarters'.

There are a number of planning constraints on the site, including the fact that the land is designated as green belt.

An application to transform the 6.3 hectares of agricultural land into 12 permanent residential plots for travelling showmen has been turned down on numerous occasions.

The agents, Cunnane Town Planning, made an application to Dartford council in September 2014, for 25 touring caravans and 25 mobile homes, as well as storage and a recreation area.

The application was turned down again in January of this year after local residents, Bean parish council and Dartford Council all voiced concerns.

There were 365 letters of objection submitted following two rounds of public consultation, including one from Dartford MP Gareth Johnson.

Numerous concerns have been raised among the letters published on Dartford council’s planning website, including increased traffic on narrow lanes and a threat to local wildlife and public footpaths.

The arrival late on the Friday night was unexpected and in contravention of the council's planning regulations.

The Environment Agency was alerted as the materials being delivered had no permits or exemptions.

Paul Bishop, who lives on the adjoining School Lane witnessed the overnight takeover.

He said: "It all happened overnight and looked as if it was done by a major contractor.

"It is totally wrong for the area. We are close to the Dartford Bridge and it's already difficult getting through the village.

"When the Highways Agency came to investigate vehicle access they found they could not get through without mounting the curb. It's just ridiculous."

Bean parish council had advised residents as this is not a criminal matter and the occupants of the land have the permission of the land owners to be there, the police have no powers to remove them.

Dartford council applied for an injunction at the High Court last Thursday to prevent any further unlawful development at a key green belt site in the village of Bean.

The request was approved by Justice Bryan which now means the occupiers of the site and any others who work on the site now face arrest and imprisonment if they breach the terms of the injunction.

It also prevents bringing any further structures or vehicles onto the land or carrying out any further works.

A statement on the council's website said: “We are simply not willing to have a two tiered planning system that sees ordinary residents take time and money to complete developments responsibly whilst some feel that they can simply ride roughshod over the national planning laws.”

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