Trinity College, Cambridge, is facing scrutiny regarding its role in a 2016 land sale that resulted in an illegal caravan site in Hockley, Essex. Local authorities are now questioning the due diligence performed during the initial transaction.
The £100,000 transaction that triggered the Hockley dispute
The controversy began with a 2016 sale of a field to travellers John Eastwood and Rachel Hilden. As the report notes , the land was originally purchased from Trinity College by local farmers Daniel Squier, 82, and Marrion Squier, 78, in November 2014,before being sold to the Eastwood-Hilden couple two years later. This sale took place despite growing fears among residents that the land was being targeted for an unofficial pitch.
Institutional landowners like Trinity College often utilize 30-year overage agreements in such transactions. These agreements allow the landowner to claim a portion of any future value increases if planning permission is eventually granted. However, the current situation suggests that the initial sale may have overlooked the immediate risks of unauthorized development.
Trinity College's legal grip on the Essex land until 2044
Trinity College, which manages approximately 14 ,000 acres across Britain, maintains a significant legal interest in the Hockley property. land Registry records reveal that the college's interest in the land does not expire until November 2044, meaning the institution must approve any future sales.
Local politicians are now leveraging this connection to demand accountability. David Catchpole, chairman of Ashingdon Parish Council, has suggested that the college's continuing interest warrants further investigation. Some officials have even urged college fellows to determine if they can use their legal standing to assist in clearing the unauthorized development.
Talent Masuku and the Rochford Council's legal hesitation
Rochford Council faced criticism for its inability to secure an injunction before the site's development escalated. In a witness stateemnt, the council's planning enforcement team leader, Talent Masuku, explained that while the council was aware of potential illegal activity as early as August 26, legal advice prevented immediate action.
According to the report, Masuku sought legal counsel on August 27 but was informed that the council lacked sufficient evidence to support an injunction at that time. This delay allowed unauthorized work to proceed over the bank holiday weekend , leading to the current standoff between the council and the families occupying the land.
The 15-pitch retrospective application and 100 local objections
The current situation has moved into a formal planning battle following a retrospective application for 15 pitches. this proposal includes mobile homes and up to two touring caravans per pitch, a move that has met fierce resistance from the local community.
More than 100 objections have been filed against the application, including opposition from local Tory MP Mark Francois. Beyond the planning application , a critical question remains regarding the college's oversight: what specific due diligence checks did Trinity College perform before signing off on the £100,000 sale? Local councillors have called for a full explanation, arguing that if the 2016 sale had been handled differently, the illegal site might never have been established.
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