Travellers of Kew Green
One of London’s most genteel spots – where houses can cost more than £5million – is taken over by lager-swilling campers in caravans
WITH beautiful town houses costing millions and its famous botanic gardens, Kew is the epitome of a desirable neighbourhood.
But the residents of this leafy corner of west London have had their peaceful idyll ruined after a group of travellers set up camp on Kew Green.
At least five caravans, 4x4s, and several other cars parked on the field just a stone’s throw from the royal Botanic Gardens.
Some members of the group were seen talking amicably with officers of the richmond Parks Patrol Service yesterday, while others were seen drinking and urinating in the sunshine. richmond council said it had begun the process of removing them from the area, where houses cost up to £5.2million.
A spokesman said a court hearing is to be held tomorrow, when the council will seek permission to evict the group. A statement read: ‘Traveller camps breach our Public Space Protection Orders which prohibit unauthorised access and camping on our open spaces. We have started the welfare checks and legal process to move them on as soon as possible.’
The orders are designed to counter antisocial behaviour which is having, or is likely to have, a significant impact on residents.
It is not the first time Kew Green has hosted the travelling community. In June 2021, 12 caravans and cars pitched up, but they left voluntarily hours before a legal bid could have slapped them with an eviction notice.
The council said there was no damage caused and all rubbish had been cleared away, but secured a three-month order which banned travellers from the site.
Just two months later in August, 21 vehicles pitched up on the Green as a different group arrived. They, too, eventually left.
Speaking to the Mail in 2021, one local resident said: ‘What gives them the right to take over the Green? They will not be taking their rubbish with them so someone has to pay to clear that up.’
A shopkeeper said at the time that youths from the group had stolen from her store and there were also reports of fighting.