Unauthorised Developments and the Role of Illegal Land Purchases
Travellers have been accused of illegally occupying land in several areas, sparking concerns among local communities and authorities. Reports indicate that these developments often occur over long weekends when council enforcement teams are not active. The situation has raised questions about the involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds in these activities.
In West Chiltington, located in West Sussex, heavy machinery began work at a site near the renowned Nyetimber estate. This development took place despite temporary stop notices issued by Horsham District Council to halt further construction. Similar tactics were observed in Willows Green, near Felsted in Essex, where travellers used construction vehicles to concrete over a field. Locals watched in disbelief as these actions unfolded.
The Daily Mail has revealed that a group of companies, linked to a convicted drug dealer, purchased sites in both locations. These companies bought the land for cash last year, raising concerns about their intentions. UK Real Estate and Land 2 Limited paid £125,000 for the Willows Green site on April 29, 2025, while UK Real Estate and Land 1 Limited paid £200,000 for the West Chiltington site three months later. A third firm, UK Real Estate and Land Limited, was involved with the same directors before being dissolved in April this year.
Chad Brady, a 31-year-old from Yorkshire, was a key director in these companies. He was previously named in a court case as the manager of a cocaine dealing operation in Bridlington. Brady admitted to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and received a suspended prison sentence. He resigned as a director of all three firms before the significant land purchases.
The involvement of these companies raises questions about the potential for illegal developments. Uttlesford Council was warned about plans to import thousands of tonnes of hardcore to the Willows Green site. Martin Mongan, a traveller, was seen using a Facebook group to arrange up to 150 lorry loads of aggregate. Despite this, the council stated it could do nothing unless development started.
Fears of a second potential site nearby were raised during a tense meeting of the parish council. The local authority successfully applied for an emergency High Court injunction after being alerted to the land purchase by a traveller with a history of unauthorised development. The injunctions ban named individuals and persons unknown from carrying out any development on the land, with the threat of imprisonment if breached.
The second field at Willows Green was not developed over the last bank holiday. Ahead of the weekend, Karl Kavanagh, boss of Hampshire-based KK Construction, used a Facebook group to try to secure large amounts of aggregates for undisclosed sites in Horley and Horsham. Although he claimed not to know the exact locations, he did not rule out the possibility of them being for traveller sites.
Both Reigate and Banstead and Horsham councils were alerted to the potential threats by the Daily Mail. Reigate and Banstead said it would have officers on standby, but Horsham Council made no mention of the West Chiltington site being under threat. After the development began there on Friday, the council confirmed it had been aware.
A spokesperson for Horsham District Council stated: ‘Following reports received last week that unauthorised works at a site on land south of Clayes Farm in Broadford Bridge Road, West Chiltington were likely to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend, Horsham District Council prepared Temporary Stop Notices which were issued and served on the land early on the morning of Saturday 23 May. Investigations are continuing, which may result in further formal action.’
The council was asked whether it was aware of the owner of the West Chiltington site and the connection to another site developed without planning consent. It was also questioned about considering an emergency High Court injunction to ban any development there. No response has been received yet.
