Million-pound homeowners claim they are being terrorised by balaclava-clad travellers who bulldozed a beauty spot before moving in caravans.
An illegal encampment was set up in the picturesque village of South Warnborough, Hampshire, over the August Bank Holiday weekend, when the local council offices were closed.
Residents say they no longer feel safe in their own gardens, have been threatened and fear the site could leave their homes difficult to sell.
Several reported seeing men in hoodies and balaclavas carrying out the building work which began at around 5.30pm on Friday, August 28 – just as council officials were packing up for the three-day break.
Aerial images reveal much of the eight-acre field has since been covered in tarmac, with a number of caravans and mobile homes already stationed on the site.
Video footage shared with the Daily Mail also captured the moment diggers and vans were driven onto the field, known as Hares Farm, before the ‘land grab’ was carried out.
One local resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, said: ‘A number of local residents no longer feel safe in their own back gardens.
‘There’s a number of vulnerable local residents that don’t feel particularly safe going outside.
‘It has really damaged the mental health and anxiety levels of a number of vulnerable people in the very local vicinity.’
An illegal encampment was set up in the picturesque village of South Warnborough, Hampshire, over the August Bank Holiday weekend, when the local council offices were closed
A number of caravans have been moved onto the site and they are now reportedly being rented out
Video footage shared with the Daily Mail shows diggers and vans being driven onto the site before the work began
Another added: ‘When the travellers first came on the Friday evening they were putting their hoodies up and some of them had balaclavas on while they were driving the machinery and doing all the work.
‘It was particularly intimidating.’
The development follows a trend that has seen travellers purchase greenbelt land, often in leafy parts of the Home Counties, before unauthorised sites are set up.
Planning permission is then sought retrospectively, with some encampments securing approval on appeal.
The issue has sparked growing concern following changes to planning policy introduced in December 2024 by Labour’s then-Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner.
The reforms strengthened requirements for councils to release greenbelt land to travellers if there is an ‘unmet need’ for pitches.
‘What has happened [in South Warnborough] is simply harrowing. The travellers deliberately stormed the land,’ the local, who lives nearby, continued.
‘It’s just shock and awe tactics. It’s complete lawlessness.
‘It was described to us by the police as not being criminal, because it’s a civil matter which is just ridiculous.
Hart District Council has served an injunction on the development, but it is understood that people are continuing to live in the caravans on the site
Prior to being purchased and turned into a traveller site, it is understood the field in South Warnborough was used as arable farmland
‘They are just trying to find a loophole in the planning regulations because on a number of occasions, they get away with it.
‘They see it as a calculated risk and therefore it is worthwhile doing.’
Hart District Council has served an injunction on the development, but it is understood people are continuing to live in the caravans on the site.
The order warned that anyone continuing to carry out work on the pitch could be held in contempt of court, potentially leading to imprisonment or fines.
The Daily Mail understands the field was used as arable farmland before it was reportedly purchased for more than £100,000 and turned into a traveller site.
Residents also raised concerns about increased noise and traffic along the narrow country lane leading up to the pitch, saying vehicles had been travelling along the road throughout the night.
One local homeowner said: ‘It is a really uncertain time for a number of reasons, obviously it is really near our property.
‘There’s been a lot more traffic on the lane, we are on a single narrow country lane and there have been movements all throughout the night.
‘But it’s mostly the uncertainty around the process that is involved. We are worried about being able to sell our homes. People are worried about their property values.
Residents say they no longer feel safe in their own back gardens, have been threatened and fear the site could leave their homes difficult to sell
‘You would just have to put your plans on hold.’
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said: ‘We are aware of development work that has been carried out on private land in South Warnborough, over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
‘Our officers are in contact with Hart District Council who are the local authority responsible for this civil law matter.
‘At this stage in the legal process, there are no enforcement powers available to the police relating to the current use or development of this land.
‘We have been carrying out additional patrols of the area, and we will continue to support local residents and Hart District Council as this matter progresses.
‘Officers have not received any reports of criminal offences. If you have been a victim of crime, please report it to us directly.’
Hart District Council said it would not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
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