Residents of Beverley Park on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent have voiced their outrage over being forced to leave their homes for two months every year. Despite paying council tax, they are only allowed to reside in their properties for 10 months annually, causing significant distress and financial hardship for the predominantly elderly population.
The residents formed an action group to advocate for permanent residency, but their request was denied by Swale Council. The council maintains that the park is designated as a holiday spot and is unsuitable for permanent residence due to noise and disruption from tourists.
Wendy Benton, a resident who has lived in the park with her husband and cat for seven years, expressed her disappointment: “We bought our home in December 2016 and moved on here in March 2017. What we didn’t realize was that the planning decision to make it 12 months had been denied.”
A spokesperson for the Beverley Park Action Group emphasized the negative consequences of the eviction: “A refusal would have significant adverse personal and financial implications for the occupants of the homes on the site. This is a system that is working and the applicants are asking to legitimise the situation that has already developed through no fault of their own, who may well have been the victims of some serious miselling in the first place.”
Councillor Tara Noe, representing the area, expressed sympathy for the residents but emphasized the need to adhere to regulations: “This is a tight-knit community of vulnerable, elderly people. The committee showed great sympathy, as have many before them. No one wants to force these pensioners out.”
The residents remain determined to stay in their homes year-round and have vowed to appeal the council’s decision.
