A property developer has been criticised after trying to sell off a small strip of roadside land as a potential traveller site for a second time.
The narrow verges in Chartham, near Canterbury, went up for sale last February, sparking concerns that the protected land is entirely unsuitable for pitches.
But after the 1,863 sq m plot failed to sell amid public backlash, landowner Rubislaw Estates has put it back under the hammer.
The land is located in the St. Augustine’s development on Beech Avenue and is one of several plots listed for online auction on August 1.
The listing by Future Property Auctions states: “This may be a suitable location for a portable home, bio net gain carbon capture, forest school, allotments or maybe for the travelling community (subject to investigating and gaining necessary consents).”
However, Canterbury City Council (CCC) has confirmed the land is designated as public open space through covenants when the estate was built, meaning it is “very unlikely” that these activities would be possible.
South Canterbury Kent County councillor Mike Sole previously said the initial listing “rightly” made residents “incredibly fearful and wondering what on earth was going to happen”.
Now, he says, the developer is attempting to offload the land in an attempt to quickly to cash in.
He told KentOnline: “They clearly will stop at nothing until they’ve sold it, and if that means that they sell it under false pretences to people who don’t carry out the necessary checks, then that’s what will happen, unfortunately.
“People will buy this land, thinking they can do something with it, but they can’t.
“It’s pretty clear that the company that bought this land only bought it to try and turn it over to a quick profit, and they’ve got no interest in holding that land or looking after it for local residents.”
The site was first listed with a guide price of £8,000, and this has now been reduced to £6,000.
In February, Chartham Parish Council held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the sale.
It was attended by 34 concerned members of the public, who described their shock upon first hearing the proposed uses.
At the time, parish council chairman Tim Clark said the listing could be seen as “deliberately provocative”, aimed at scaring residents into snapping up the spaces.
Councillor Fay Geoghan described the language as “inflammatory”.
This time around, the council has again elected not to bid, due to the suspected costly maintenance work needed, as it does not wish to pass the bill onto the taxpayer.
Cllr Clark explained: “It is not ‘prime investment land’.
“There are a number of trees which need work done.
“From our point of view, it will be £10,000 in the first year to do the work.
“We have discussed the auction and do not have plans to bid on it, but the parish council will be keeping an eye on it.”
CCC spokesman Robert Davies said: “This site is protected open space and our Local Plan policies seek to protect it for the enjoyment of the local residents, so any application to change this is unlikely to be granted.”
Rubislaw Estates and Future Property Auctions have been contacted for comment.
