Villagers claim they are being 'forced' to buy grass verges and small plots of land near their homes for thousands of pounds amid fears of land grabs from travellersResidents of St Augustine's Estate in Chartham, near Canterbury, have said they now feel compelled to buy pockets of land near their home.Among the sites put up for auction by landowner, Rubislaw Estates Ltd, are roadside verges, small patches of grass between homes on the estate.But despite being designated as open public spaces intended for the benefit of residents, they have been advertised as 'potentially suitable' for various uses.Future Property Auctions state the sites 'may be a suitable location for a portable home, Bio-net Gain Carbon capture, Forest school, allotments or maybe for the travelling community (subject to investigating and gaining necessary consents)'.This language has since been described as 'inflammatory' by locals, who suggested it appeared to encourage residents to buy the plots out of fear of the potential outcome if someone else got there first.It comes after locals were left shocked to discover that plots across the estate had been put up for sale in February, 2025.Yet more than a year later, those fears had dissipated until several plots of land on Beech Avenue appeared online, set to be auctioned off on June 4, 2025. Several plots of land on Beech Avenue have been advertised online Future Property Auctions sparking fears of traveller land grabs among locals Residents say they feel compelled to buy the plots of land near their homes (pictured) amid the prospect of what could happen if it is purchased by someone else