Traveller site construction compared to 'military operation' after four-acre field entirely concreted over in just days

A new traveller site in Essex has been compared to a "military operation" after a four-acre field was concreted over to make way for vehicles.

Just hours after the council closed for the Bank Holiday, work began on land in Willows Green, near Felsted.

The site has now been covered with hardcore and caravans have been pitched up on it.

Now, residents living nearby have expressed concern, saying they were left "intimidated" by the rapid construction at the site.

Tracy Williams, who has lived nearby for a decade, told the BBC: "It just feels really frustrating and uncomfortable."

Another neighbour, who spoke anonymously, said: "The whole village is devastated, lots of us aren't sleeping at night. The stress levels are really high.

"In a matter of three or four days, when they've done it, they've just completely ruined the village."

Others alleged a drone had been put up as part of a "skilled operation" by those behind the work to catch people spying, adding: "They have ploughed through with no apparent consideration for wildlife, ecology, pollution, drainage - all of the things that need to be taken into account when you are developing any site."

Meanwhile, former Tory Home Secretary and Braintree MP Sir James Cleverly accused the travellers of "gaming the system".

He added they were "exploiting the gap in enforcement" outside the council's normal working hours.

However, traveller community campaigner Sherrie Smith said those responsible were "trying to be as accommodating and friendly".

Uttlesford District Council said it was aware of an "alleged unauthorised development".

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Civil servants accused of perpetuating 'rotten culture of entitlement' after claiming thousands to travel to OWN office
• Teenagers confront travellers outside school as police called following major incident
• Traveller who tarmacked over a field and brought caravans in allowed to live there as moving him would breach his human rights

Ms Smith, who founded the Gypsy and Travellers Essex campaign group, said she met and was in conversation with the people behind the construction.

She said they were cousins who owned the land and wanted it to build a better future for their children.

"They've apologised to the residents around there, so they told me," Smith said.

"I think that when the noise stops, and the building stops, hopefully they can learn to live alongside each other."

A Uttlesford District Council spokesperson said: "Officers are working at pace to assess the activity on site and gather evidence before considering the full range of enforcement options available.

"We want to reassure residents that the situation is of paramount importance and that appropriate action may be taken in line with our statutory powers."

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch announced plans to give police the power to remove Travellers at the request of landowners and ban them from returning to encampments indefinitely.

The party added that leaving the ECHR would mean it would be able to go further to clamp down on Traveller camps than previous Conservative governments.

The Conservatives promise to recruit 10,000 more police officers over three years at a cost of £800million "to give them the manpower they need to tackle trespassing Travellers".

A Labour Party spokesman said: "The Labour Government recognises the importance of protecting public spaces and supporting communities affected by unauthorised encampments.

"The powers available to police and local authorities are designed to ensure enforcement can be carried out effectively where disruption occurs.

"The measures in place aim to support local residents and maintain public confidence in shared community spaces."