Villagers say five unauthorised traveller sites have appeared in their picturesque Kent hamlet in just nine months. Residents say their bucolic existence has been ruined by the rash of unauthorised development, which they claim has hit local property prices. Aerial photos show four traveller sites with half a dozen caravans along a short stretch of road running through the hamlet, with the fifth further off. They are now calling on Maidstone Borough Council to take urgent action to halt the unauthorised developments. A Maidstone council spokesman said: 'We understand the concerns raised and are investigating both the planning issues and the complaint.