A council has intervened over a caravan encampment amid concerns ancient woodland was being ripped up.

People in Leybourne have admitted to feeling "scared" after caravans and mobile homes turned up on a plot off Birling Road, opposite to Leybourne Grange Riding Centre for the Disabled.

West Malling and Leybourne representative on the borough council Cllr Nick Stapleton says an article four order has been submitted by Tonbridge and Malling planning officers.

These restrict the scope of permitted development rights and are used to control works that could threaten the character of an area of acknowledged importance. But as that directive will be subject to appeal, it will not come into effect until July if it is challenged.

Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat has got involved, too, while police have also visited the site over the weekend.

On social media, Mr Tugendhat (Con) initially said he would be keeping a close eye on the situation and said he would be investigating whether the work being carried out was legal.

But on Monday night, he added: "I'm very pleased that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council have, at their earliest possible opportunity, issued a temporary stop notice and a planning contravention notice for the woodland off Birling Road, near Leybourne Chase.

"I’m hugely grateful for their swift action which means that no further works should take place now."

These notices prevent more work being carried out on the land until the council can gather more information.

Prideaux Planning Ltd, acting on behalf of applicant Thomas Fisher, put forward a planning application in April to put up two stables at the site.

But a spokesman for the Tadworth-based firm says a new application has now been submitted, adding: “The new application is for two mobile homes and two touring caravans with a mixed use for keeping of horses, erection of stables and residential use.”

They added: “I'm not willing to make any further comment and will deal with the local authority directly.”

But the move has surprised and angered Leybourne residents who knew only of the initial stables plan.

Cllr Stapleton (Lib Dem) said: “I would say the majority of residents of Birling Road have contacted me one way or another over the weekend.

“It is causing major problems for anyone who lives on the road.”

He suspects those living in the mobile homes are more likely to be people who are looking for a place to stay in the long term, as work has been carried out at the site, as opposed to travellers.

A woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, says a tree was also damaged with a truck that went hurtling down a 20mph zone on the road at 50mph.

“It has been dreadful,” she said. “I feel so awful.

“On Saturday, I was really looking forward to settling in because it has been quite full-on, moving.

“We have gone through 15 months of hell with Covid, moved in and we were loving it around here, then, all of a sudden, you have this massive threat.

“I’m not against anybody. But do it in the right way. Follow the rules.

“I'm scared now and it is not right.”

“You don’t just come in and take over. It is just not right. It is devastating.

“I'm scared now and it is not right.”

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 8am on Saturday regarding a static caravan, causing an obstruction as it was being moved onto private land in Birling Road.

"Officers attended the scene and spoke to those present. No offences were disclosed."

Over the weekend, Mr Tugendhat had said: "I’ve been in touch with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Kent Police to ensure what we’re seeing is legal. It is essential only permitted works go ahead and indeed I am sure, if residents had known of plans here, they would have said.

“It is not acceptable that laws be applied differently across our community when we share the environment and the benefits of protecting our woodland and countryside.

“I will be working with the council, the police and others to protect our community, our property and our laws.”

In another incident in Leybourne recently, travellers locked themselves in at a site and asked the public not to park in front of the gate while they also created a homemade sign which says they need access 24/7. That land is owned by Highways England.

Speaking about the latest encampment, the woman said: “I heard this big vehicle at the end of last week, and I just thought it was cutting the grass for the horses.

“They were definitely there on Friday. I have just been so floored.

“There were three caravans at the time and a big crane, clearing ancient woodlands. We have got badgers here and it is all protected.

“This is a 20mph road. It has a mental health facility and Leybourne Grange Riding Centre for the Disabled. Heavy vehicles are not allowed down the road anyway but they were bombing it down at 50mph which is scary for me.

“They even broke a tree with their JCB.”

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