THE caravan in which a lone protester has been living on New Road in Kendal has been removed this afternoon.

Three police vehicles and a low loader arrived at the common land around 2.30pm.

Protester Jeff Hayton said that the caravan did not belong to him, but he had been allowed to use it.

This is the third time Mr Hayton has been removed from the site.

Mr Hayton vowed to carry on his protest against South Lakeland District Council's closure of the land to vehicles.

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Earlier this week Mr Hayton's effort won the praise of another group of protesters, the Friends of Kendal Action Group.

"He's got a right to protest as we all do," said group member John Waddington. "It's certainly a statement – and he keeps making them – he's not backing down."

An SLDC spokesperson said: “This is the third time that unauthorised camping has occurred on New Road Common in the last few weeks. We would like to remind residents that each enforcement action against unauthorised activities such as this comes at a cost to Council Tax payers, and takes our enforcement officers away from their regular duties, which include investigating fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling.’’

Some members of the action group held a 'park and ride' day on the common on Sunday, to raise funds for their legal challenge against SLDC and the closure of the land to vehicles.

The main attraction for attending was mobility scooter racing.

"It was very good and really productive," said Mr Waddington. "It was very cold but we enjoyed it and there was a good atmosphere.

"Altogether, we've raised towards £3,000 now."

The Friends of Kendal Action Group have been given permission by SLDC to hold a bucket collection on February 10 to help further raise funds.

Despite SLDC being the target of their protest, a spokesperson for the local authority said the group was within its rights to make its objections clear.

“Each street collection permit request is considered on a case-by-case basis," said a spokesperson. "The fact the council doesn’t share the same views on an issue as those applying for the collection, or doesn’t necessarily agree with the intended use of the funds being collected, would not be a reason to refuse a permit.

"We would refuse a permit only if the views or intended use of funds were unlawful or liable to cause offence.

“We have repeatedly said that we respect anyone’s democratic right to express their opinion on this issue.’’