Travellers have pitched up at a park as a council investigates “restrictive measures” to stop further encroachment.
At least a dozen caravans and motorhomes are parked at Milton Recreation Ground, near Sittingbourne.
The group arrived around 1.30pm on Sunday, August 3.
Swale council confirmed its environmental response department is “following nationally set procedures”, which include welfare checks before action can be taken.
A council spokesman said: “This will likely lead to us issuing a notice to leave.
“If this is not complied with, we will seek the magistrate’s permission to remove them from our land.”
Read more: The powers authorities have to stop unauthorised Traveller encampments in Kent
The council also confirmed it is investigating bringing in “further restrictive measures” at the park. It is understood these plans are in their early stages.
It comes after travellers came to the park twice in May and then set up camp at the nearby Milton Regis Country Park in June.
When one group left ‘Milton Rec’ on June 6, residents slammed the amount of waste that was dumped.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, told KentOnline he felt the situation was “disgraceful”.
Then, organisers of the weekly 5km parkrun, which takes place at the Country Park every Saturday, had to call off the June 7 event due to the travellers setting up camp near the start line – the entrance near Holy Trinity Church.
Ward councillor Kieran Mishchuk says people living near the parks have been asking him for updates on what preventative measures the council is working on.
He said: “There was the suggestion about concrete bollards, which I was behind, and trenches which would have ruined the park.
“I think fencing would work, and the council is looking into it, but it would not happen for a couple of months.
“It is frustrating to get through to residents that we are doing something to stop the travellers coming here again.”
