A COUNCIL’S attempts to remove an Irish Traveller family from a disused car park just days after the death of a two-day-old baby at the site has been declared unlawful by the Court of Appeal.

Thanet District Council in Kent attempted to remove the extended family from the site at the disused Ramsgate ferry port in December 2021.

The family had been invited to use the site by the council in June 2021, following a magistrates’ court ruling that a site should be made available because of its welfare need.

Some family members had poor health, one child was under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital, and one woman was pregnant.

The Court of Appeal heard that in December the council withdrew its permission for the family to use the site but did not inform the family. An eviction notice was issued without warning.

A member of the family told The Isle of Thanet News after the ruling: “We hope now the council will look to accommodate us and our old, sick and children at school rather than taking us to court to put us on the side of the road.” 

The family was supported by several local councillors and the local parish priest.

Councillor Karen Constantine of Kent County Council said: “This result demonstrates beyond doubt that all councils need to take the needs of residents, especially residents with protected characteristics, much more seriously than Thanet District Council did.”

A Thanet council spokesperson said: “We recognise the decision that the court made, and we continue to work with the families on the site as we consider our next steps.”