Medway Council was wrong to evict Romani Gypsy families who had set up home in a car park just off the M2, court rules.
The group of 15 adults and 14 children were initially granted permission to stay on the site for three months in exchange for a monthly fee.
However, the local authority handed the families eviction notices in October, arguing it intended to sell the plot.
After hearing that the council had not taken any steps to sell the land, a judge ruled that its actions violated the human rights of the families.
Cllr Louwella Prenter, portfolio holder for Housing and Homelessness, said the council was ‘disappointed’ by the ruling.
‘This is a lengthy and detailed decision, and we will give it due consideration before deciding how best to move forward,’ she said.
‘Granting use of the site was only ever intended as a temporary three-month measure, and the car park is not deemed to be suitable as a long-term site for permanent occupation.’
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