An illegal caravan site established over the May bank holiday weekend in Willows Green, Essex, has been linked to a company associated with a convicted drug dealer.

Illegal Occupation and Planning Concerns

The four-acre site, designated as a wildlife haven, was quickly occupied after the local council closed for the long weekend. This tactic is frequently used to establish unauthorized developments and then apply for retrospective planning permission.

A similar situation is unfolding at Three Acres near Canterbury, where static homes and building materials have been delivered. However, while a stop notice was issued for the Canterbury site, no action has been taken regarding the Felsted location.

Company Ownership and Criminal Connections

The land in Felsted is owned by UK Real Estate and Land 2 Limited, which purchased it for £125,000 in cash. This firm is connected to Chad Brady, a 31-year-old previously convicted of managing a cocaine dealing operation in Bridlington.

Brady received a suspended prison sentence and has since resigned as a director of the company. The ownership structure also includes David Malcolm Kaye and Lauren Anne Connell, both with histories of directing dissolved companies.

Development and Local Response

Approximately 30 vehicles, including diggers, arrived at the site under the cover of darkness. Vegetation was removed, and hardcore and tarmac were laid to create a base, with fencing also being erected.

Local MP James Cleverly, formerly the Home Secretary, publicly condemned the actions, accusing the travellers of “gaming the system” and pointing to a perceived “two-tier justice” in law enforcement. He shared a video on Facebook demanding swift action.

The Daily Mail previously identified the site as a potential target for illegal encampment, based on information from a local council source who warned of plans to import large quantities of hardcore material.

Calls for Enforcement

Cleverly emphasized that authorities should not be deterred from enforcing the law due to accusations of racism. The field was sold by a farmer to the real estate company for £125,000 a year ago and is believed to have been subdivided into smaller plots.

Workers continued construction throughout the night, utilizing floodlights and generators. The situation raises concerns about the effectiveness of current regulations and the potential for criminal activity linked to illegal land occupation. The lack of immediate action by the local council has drawn criticism.