Council bosses have secured a court injunction to stop travellers setting up camp on Green Belt land in West Kingsdown.

Sevenoaks District Council were granted an order to prevent caravans and mobile homes from being stationed on land off Crowhurst Lane.

The order was granted on July 16 after residents became increasingly concerned that the site, which has already been cleared of vegetation, could be used to house static caravans.

The order also prohibits hard standings and concrete bases from being put down on the site.

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Flouting the order would put the landowner at risk of a fine or imprisonment.

Councillor Robert Piper, the Council’s Cabinet member for Planning, said: "Working closely with the local community, within a very short period of time we were able to put together a compelling case and present it before the Judge.

"We are extremely pleased the High Court has granted an injunction which will ease the concerns of the many local residents who have contacted us over the past few days.

"We have made a concerted effort to be more robust in our planning enforcement and this is another example of that."

The landowner has the right to appeal the decision and can still submit a planning application if they wish to do so.