Two areas are being considered for possible temporary 'tolerated' sites for travellers including one on farmland.

Last year three sites were put forward - Potten Street in St Nicholas-at-Wade, Tivoli Brooks in Margate and Ramsgate Port.

But council chiefs are removing the port and Tivoli from the list and looking to push forward with Potten Street and a new site on land off Shottendane Road in Margate.

The temporary sites, which will be discussed at a cabinet meeting at Thanet council on Thursday, will be for unauthorised encampments which are tolerated for an agreed amount of time and used on a rota basis.

Other council-owned land was considered, including in Callis Court Road in Broadstairs, Crescent Road in North Foreland and at the former Ramsgate Hoverport, but ruled out in favour of Potten Street and Shottendane.

Proposals come in response to a rise in the number of illegal encampments, which increased from just two in 2013 to 53 in 2019, with 70 locations deemed as 'vulnerable' to unauthorised camps.

Recently Dane Park has been used by travellers, with complaints from the community and Ramsgate FC, which runs children's football from the park.

Dreamland has also been a stopping spot for groups of the travelling community.

Council chiefs say temporary tolerated sites allow easier management of amenities such as waste collection and toilet provision, reducing the impact on the local area.

It will also allow for provision for travellers while the authority works on a longer term solution, which includes permanent sites and transit pitches, both of which have been included in the Local Plan.

In a report to cabinet, officers say in order to reduce impact on any one site and to help remove unauthorised encampments from unsuitable locations, more than one site is required for a tolerated camp.

"It is recommended that Shotendane and Potten Street be taken forward as the most suitable locations subject to engagement with the relevant parish council and ward members.

"The Port of Ramsgate is presently undergoing a feasibility study and the proposed area is in use for the storage of cars and is returning a revenue, it is also an industrialised area and not suited to families and young children.

"Commercial opportunities for all council-owned sites are also being assessed and Tivoli Brooks has value as a commercial venture with the opportunity to generate future revenue and create employment opportunities."

Joseph Jones, director of the the Gypsy Council, says there is a desperate need for permanent spots for travellers.

"We have been left with no choice but to set up camps on the side of roads and unauthorised sites," he said.

"Permanent sites are needed."

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