Enforcement action is being pursued against a mobile home which blocked a road and sparked “travel chaos” after being brought onto green belt land before permission was granted.

Gravesham council officers were called to the site south of Pear Tree Lane, in Shorne, next to The See Ho pub, last week.

They say they are taking the incident “very seriously”.

It comes after proposals to change the use of the land for stationing two static homes, two touring caravans and a shared day room for Traveller occupation with associated hard and soft landscaping were validated in November.

In the submitted planning statement, applicant Mr P Cash acknowledged the site is in the green belt and that the works, including fencing and re-levelling, would be an inappropriate development.

However, he argued it would not have a “substantial impact” on openness, nor would it be a “significant encroachment” due to other Traveller sites and residential properties nearby.

It also stated that the council’s Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment, published in 2018, showed there is a need for pitches in the area.

The planning document said the unmet need would need to be addressed through windfall sites and it is likely that these will be within the green belt.

It added: “We consider that there are sufficient very special circumstances to outweigh this limited harm to the openness of the green belt.”

On Tuesday, December 17, a mobile home was brought onto the land despite the undecided planning application.

Motorists were caught up in “traffic chaos” as the building blocked the road for several hours and neighbours have since reported seeing further groundwork happening on the site.

In a statement published the next day, the council confirmed its planning enforcement officers had attended the site and were “assessing possible next steps with legal colleagues”.

However, it added: “The fact that this event has occurred on private land limits the council's ability to take action.”

An update published on Friday (December 20) stated officers take events like those on Pear Tree Lane “very seriously” and would not delay from acting when it is proportionate and reasonable to do so.

It added: “This case is actively being addressed by a range of teams including development management, planning enforcement, environmental enforcement and community safety.

“The council recognise that this application has generated significant interest within the community.

“Residents should be assured that the council is addressing this case with the appropriate level of resource and due diligence, working with stakeholders to reach a decision within the statutory timeframe.”

Planning officers are also investigating a breach of a High Court injunction along White Post Lane, in Sole Street, after a static caravan was brought onto the site last week.

The injunction prevents anyone from using the land for the siting of caravans or mobile homes.

The council is reviewing the case with legal colleagues to see if further action can be taken and has reported the incident to the police due to damage caused to the road, verges and trees.

Earlier this year, the local authority seized and secured land at Fowlers Stone Wood, off Harvel Road, in Vigo, following a four-year enforcement case.

Work was first reported on-site in April 2020, leading to a High Court hearing which ruled the woodland development was illegal.

The public consultation for the Pear Tree Lane application closed on Christmas Day with a decision expected on Friday, January 17.

At the time of writing, 214 letters of objections had been submitted with only two written in support of the proposals.

Concerns have been raised by nearby villagers over traffic problems, loss of green belt land and the potential impact on the character of the area.

A resident of Hollands Close, Shorne, said: “I object to this application because a Traveller encampment is entirely unsuitable for this piece of land which is part of the green belt and is adjacent and opposite residential properties.

“It is out of character with the rest of the area. There are no special circumstances that would warrant the change of use for this land and the application should be refused.”

Another who lives in Woodlands Lane, Shorne, added: “I have to say when I saw the application notice for the proposed site to house Travellers I thought it was a joke but now I can see it is a serious application I must lodge a total objection to this.

“I cannot imagine this being treated seriously. It is totally out of character.

“I trust that this application will be tuned down immediately.”

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

Shorne Parish Council has also strongly objected to the plans stating the land is “simply not a residential plot” and would be an inappropriate development on the green belt.

It stated there had previously been five applications and four appeals, with two High Court hearings, for building on the land which have all been dismissed and there is no new information which would warrant overturning the decisions.

A spokesperson added: “Among other reasons, the proposal is at excessive density for the size of the plot, constituting overdevelopment, and would impact adversely on the amenity of the area and nearby and neighbouring dwellings.

“We are concerned, as with the previous applications for this site, about any permission setting an indefensible, damaging precedent for the development of front gardens and other plots fronting Pear Tree Lane as that would irrevocably change the nature and ambience of the area.

“We cannot envisage any circumstances whereby this application could be deemed acceptable or permissible, even if the strongest possible conditions were to be attached.

“We strongly urge Gravesham Borough Council to refuse permission.”

However, one resident supported the plans stating more housing was needed in the area and that if residents could buy land to support themselves they should be “given a chance”.