Site updates
At times, there can be some sites that generate public interest, due to potential breaches or breaches of planning control.
The information published here is intended to provide residents and local representatives with key updates on such sites, subject to what can be made public as part of any enforcement process or action being followed.
The Council received a planning application to Pear Tree Lane, for the change of use of the land for the stationing of 2 static homes, 2 touring caravans and shared day room for Gypsy/Traveller occupation and associated hard and soft landscaping, which was validated on 21st February 2025. The determination deadline for the application is 18 April 2025. View and comment on the application on the Council's Planning Access website under planning application reference 20250110. The application seeks to address the reasons for refusal, that formed the decision notice issued for planning application 20240600, which is available for viewing online. You can make a comment on the live application. The consultation expires on 14 March 2025
In line with the Council’s Planning Enforcement Strategy, the council takes events like those that have taken place at land adjacent to The See-Ho Public House since 17 December, very seriously. Where the Council is able to do so, the Council will not defer from using any powers at its disposal to act - where it is proportionate and expedient to do so. This is evidenced by the council’s stance and actions on various environmental and planning enforcement cases in recent months, where fines, prosecutions and action has been taken. Most notably, at Fowlers Stone Wood in Vigo, the Council was successful in committing Mr Sullivan to prison for illegal occupation and development of the site, and for reclaiming the land following a lengthy and complex legal exercise. This demonstrates that the Council will use all available powers under current legislation where development is not in compliance with planning law, but due process must be followed in each case as is the legal requirement. The council provided an update previously advising that a planning application had been submitted to the Council for consideration, on the site for the change of use of the land for the stationing of 2 static homes, 2 touring caravans and shared day room for Gypsy/Traveller occupation, associated hard and soft landscaping. This planning application understandably generated significant interest within the local community. In line with statutory timeframes for determining planning applications, this planning application was determined on 17 January 2025, with the Decision Notice citing the following grounds of refusal: Find details for the planning application online. Following the refusal of the planning application, the Council working with relevant agencies and departments, is considering what enforcement action may be necessary, in the public interest, taking into consideration the Development Plan and material planning considerations. Further updates will follow. Further to the update below from 7 October, Officers from the Council supported by Kent Police attended site on Monday 13 October. Council Officers shared with those on the site copies of the Planning Enforcement Notice that is in effect on the land, including the decision confirming the Notice had been upheld on appeal. The Notice in effect requires all unauthorised residential occupation including associated unauthorised development to be removed by 11 February 2026. Whilst not seeking to prejudice any future legal steps that may be taken by the Local Authority, the council is monitoring the situation closely, has taken action on this site and is not afraid to take further relevant action within our legal powers where possible. The council is aware of further reports of activity at White Post Lane and are working with partner agencies to assess possible next steps. If residents are in receipt of further information in regard to crime, ASB or public safety at this site and surrounding roads, this can be reported to the Police via their website: Report a crime | Kent Police. The site is subject to a high court injunction and an enforcement notice that comes into effect in February 2026. The conditions of this notice are set out below in earlier updates. Key documentation, including the enforcement notice and injunction will be re-shared with those that have moved on to the site. A planning application (reference: 20241164) was refused on the site in February. This application was later allowed at appeal by the Planning Inspectorate. There is also a live application, which is currently being considered (reference: 20250764). Residents can make comments on this application via the borough’s planning portal. Whilst not seeking to prejudice any future legal steps that may need to be taken, the Council would like to make it clear that in line with the Council’s Planning Enforcement Strategy and Development Plan, we’ll continue to proactively deal with breaches of planning control and seek appropriate remedies, where possible. Following the refusal of the planning application the Council has reminded all landowners and occupiers of the requirements of the Injunction and Enforcement Notice and has set out how those requirements should be met. Whilst not seeking to prejudice any future legal steps that may need to be taken, the Council would like to make it clear that in line with the Council’s Planning Enforcement Strategy and Development Plan, we’ll continue to proactively deal with breaches of planning control and seek appropriate remedies. The Council has determined Planning Application 20241164 and the planning application has been refused. This decision can be viewed on Planning Access. On Friday 21 February, the Council was made aware of further works taking place at White Post Lane, Sole Street on land which is subject of planning application 20241164, an Enforcement Notice upheld by the Planning Inspectorate on 11 February, and a High Court injunction.
The Enforcement Notice gives the owners and occupiers of the land 12 months to comply with the requirements of the Council. Working with partner agencies, notices have been served today (24 February) requiring the owners and occupiers to cease all works immediately. Where development is unacceptable and action is justified and in the public interest, we will use our formal enforcement powers to remove unauthorised development. Where we have issued a formal enforcement notice that sets out the steps needed to rectify the breach and the timeframe, it is an offence to ignore that notice once it comes into force. We take such matters seriously and will seek prosecution for non-compliance with an Enforcement Notice, including recovering costs incurred. While we understand the concerns of local residents, there are strict legal procedures we must follow which mean enforcement cases can often take significant time to resolve. However, while acting within those legal restrictions, we do seek to resolve matters as swiftly as possible. Further updates to follow.
The Council, as required to by national Government is in the process of determining planning application 20241164 for the use of the land to form a gypsy/traveller site comprising the siting of 1 mobile home, 1 touring caravan, and 1 dayroom. Residents and stakeholders are reminded that they can make comments on this application using the planning portal. The consultation closes on the 19 February 2025 and a determination is expected towards the end of February 2025.
It is important that this planning application is determined with the appropriate due process, taking into account all material planning considerations and the comments received through the consultation process. On 11 February 2025, the Planning Inspectorate issued a decision in relation to the appeal made against an enforcement notice issued by the Council on 2 August 2023. This decision can be found on the Planning Inspectorate's website. The Planning Inspectorate decision means that the Enforcement Notice has been upheld, and the owner(s) and occupier(s) of the land to which the Enforcement Notice applies, have 12 months from 11 February 2025 i.e. by the 11 February 2026 to comply with the requirements of the Enforcement Notice.
The requirements of the decision issued by the Planning Inspectorate, and thus the Enforcement Notice are now as follows; Residents should be assured that the Council is continuing to ensure that this breach of planning control is addressed, using the powers available to it. In light of the Planning Inspectorate’s decision and subject to the decision made on planning application 20241164 the Council will be exploring what further action can be taken in the interim, in advance of the 11 February 2025 deadline. Further updates will follow.
Land South Of Pear Tree Lane, Shorne.
Latest update - 27 February 2025
Previous update - 22 January 2025
White Post Lane site, Sole Street.
Latest update - 15 October 2025
Previous updates
7 October 2025
28 February 2025
26 February 2025
24 February 2025
13 February 2025
Further information and enquiries
Interested parties are asked not to contact us for further information on these sites, as such individual requests only divert resources away from other operational activities. Residents' co-operation in this is much appreciated.
Report a breach of planning control
Most successful investigations into planning breaches result from information being passed on by members of the public. You can help our officers by reporting incidents of unauthorised development happening within the Borough.