Villagers in year-long fight to close traveller site after bank holiday land grab: Residents' fury after family moved onto horse's field overnight, set up camp - and are refusing to leave

By MATT STRUDWICK, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:02, 15 April 2026 | Updated: 01:03, 15 April 2026 Villagers say travellers who set up an 'illegal camp' last year following a bank holiday coup have made their lives a misery and fear they will never leave.  The group made their way onto the land south of Woodville Road in Overseal, Derbyshire, during the August bank holiday in an early morning 'land grab'. Within minutes, the grassed area, once a tranquil area grazed by horses, was fenced off before 'lorry after lorry turned up with hardcore'. Eight months of hell have since followed, with accusations by locals that they have been verbally abused and had lights shone into their homes as an intimidation tactic.  A gas pipe was also struck during the construction of an 'unauthorised' access road, causing a major leak which 'could have been catastrophic'.  Claims have also been made that piles of waste have been buried in the ground, while the fire service has also been called out to attend to 'unattended' blazes.   It is believed the land was sold by a developer, with Land Registry documents, seen by the Daily Mail, showing Michael Andrew Connors paid £60,000 for the plot in June 2023. It came before the recent encroachments in Sunbridge, Kent, Flamstead village, Hertfordshire, and Alfold in Surrey over the Easter bank holiday weekend. A group of travellers made their way onto the land south of Woodville Road in Overseal, Derbyshire, during the August bank holiday last year in an early morning 'land grab' The Daily Mail visited the site this week, with pictures showing three caravans and a digger on the hardstanding in close proximity to a primary school  Last month, South Derbyshire District Council threw out the travellers' retrospective planning application, which had been submitted by 'S Rogers', after locals formed a campaign group and more than 100 people objected to the proposals.  But there has been little cause for cheer over the recent news, with an appeal likely to be lodged to the planning inspectorate and residents fearing the group will only leave if 'police drag them off'.  The Daily Mail visited the site this week, with pictures showing three caravans and a digger on the hardstanding in close proximity to a primary school.  It is thought the site is currently occupied by one family, but residents claim foreign workers are being dropped off late at night and living in some of the vehicles.  Retired social services worker Dawn Hoccum, 59, said: 'They have been a nightmare from day one. 'It used to be a lovely field, with horses grazing on it. It was a wonderful place to live before this. But now we have had no end of problems. 'A public right of way goes right through where they have pitched one of their caravans.  'But if anyone tries to walk it, they are met with abuse and marched off the land. They claimed they'd moved the right of way to the top of the field, but that's nonsense.' Ms Hoccum said the travellers struck a gas pipe when they dug up an access road, causing a major leak.   'And they have illegally tried to put a water pipe through,' she said.  'They try to intimidate you. They told me that I'd be 'sorry' when they moved on. They've been abusive to everyone - they even pushed a lady who is in her 70s during one argument. The Daily Mail visited the site this week, with pictures showing three caravans and a digger on the hardstanding in close proximity to a primary school Pictured here is a water pipe the group 'illegally' installed which they want to connect to the site It is believed the land was sold by a developer, with Land Registry documents, seen by the Daily Mail, showing Michael Andrew Connors paid £60,000 for the plot in June 2023 A map produced by locals showing the alleged works carried out by the group. They include a gas pipe being struck during the construction of an 'unauthorised' access road 'One of the worst things is that they are burying tonnes of waste on the site. We don't know where it is coming from, or what's in it. It looks like it is from demolished houses, as we see bits of drainpipe and stuff in it.  'And they have unattended fires that they burn waste on - we have had to have the fire brigade out.' She added: 'It's just been one thing after another. They've installed security cameras, they shine lights into people's homes to try to intimidate them, and they've hassled a local woman who owns some land adjacent to theirs to get her to sell it.  'They won't stop - it's making her ill and she can't sleep at night. They have called other locals a 'stupid b****' and a 'f****** w****'. They've threatened no end of people. 'They installed a septic tank but didn't do it correctly, and use the bushes as toilets. 'Since the planning application was rejected, they have been served an enforcement notice by the council, but I can't see them going without a fight. They have done what they want up to now, and I can't see that changing. 'They aren't going to go voluntarily. They have paid money for the land, and invested too much in it. I think the only way they will go is if the police drag them off.' Around 30 locals have joined the Friends of Woodville Road Action Group, which campaigns against the site. A woman who formed the group, who did not wish to be named, said: 'We have all had threats. 'It began on August Bank Holiday weekend last year. They started at 6.30am and immediately fenced off the land, then lorry after lorry turned up with hardcore. We counted about eight. It was obviously intentional to do it then - there is far less oversight, and they know they can get away with it. 'They bought the land from a developer about three years ago. Since they moved in, I have spoken to various bodies - Derbyshire County Council, Southern Derbyshire District Council, the Environment Agency, Derbyshire Police - but nothing has been done.  'However, now the planning application has been rejected, I am hopeful they will be made to go. We have been told they are appealing, but they've got no chance. The council has to put a line in the sand. 'At the moment, we believe it is one couple and their children. But transient workers who don't speak any English have been getting dropped off late at night and staying in the other caravans.  'And obviously the fear is we will wake up one morning and see a load of new caravans arriving.' The 58-year-old added: 'At first, everyone was scared of them, and worried about making objections to the site. Then I set up a questionnaire, asking people to report if anything had happened. I got over 50 responses.  'It gave people the confidence to come forward. By the time the planning application was heard, there were over 100 objections. 'But we have had very little help from the authorities. Derbyshire Police say that any abuse people were receiving as they tried to cross the land is a civil matter, not a criminal one - but they're wrong because it's a public right of way.  'When they caused a gas leak by digging up the road, the gas man who came down said it could have been catastrophic - but the police did nothing.  Dawn Hoccum, 59, lives next to the site as says the travellers have been 'a nightmare from day one' 'Even though there are several reports of them shouting at and threatening people. They even threatened to kill someone's dog. 'We're concerned about the impact of the waste they are burying on the land, and the potential for run-off into a nearby river, but the Environmental Agency hasn't done anything. They fitted a septic tank without permission.  'We catalogued them doing it. The one they installed should have been encased in concrete - well, it went into the ground in just 25 minutes. 'We have set up a WhatsApp group, and people report it on there if something happens. 'My advice to any other place at the start of something like this would be to form a community group as soon as possible and start collating everything - photo evidence, reports of incidents, and so on.  'Don't put yourself in any danger, but log everything that happens. Keep all the meta data, and keep a timeline. That is the best thing we have done. It is so useful when it comes to raising formal objections, speaking to your MP, and so on. 'They will try to pick off the weakest in a community one at a time, so it's important you stand together.' Kay Knight, 49, used to walk her dog on the land but doesn't anymore after she was threatened.  Another local, who said they were too afraid of consequences to give their name, said: 'I know everyone has a right to have a place to live, but it's been awful since the travellers arrived. 'It used to be a lovely footpath. They have no right to close it off, then threaten people who try to use it. I was very relieved when I heard their planning application had been rejected, but I fear this won't be the end of it. You don't put that much time and effort in to a site to just abandon it. 'If they do move on, I feel sorry for the next community they pitch up at.' A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: 'The force is well aware of the issues being seen in Overseal – with the local policing team working closely with partner agencies to address issues that are seen. 'The current situation is clearly having a significant impact on the local community and the local policing team are continuing to work to ensure that, within the powers that the police hold, that we support all those in the area without fear or favour. 'It is important to note that under various pieces of legislation the prosecuting authority may not be the police, even if a criminal matter - and at times there may be civil actions that are taken by individuals or agencies. 'The force has so far investigated a number of reported public order offences and an assault. Each of the incidents have been investigated and no further action is being taken in relation to these reports. No arrests were made. 'There are ongoing investigations into three reports of harassment and one assault – these remain under investigation. 'Officers will investigate any offences that are reported the force and, where evidence is available, then will seek prosecutions. 'Any abuse of individuals should be reported to the force and, if there are sufficient lines of enquiry, will be investigated as a public order offence. 'Specifically, regarding the matter relating to gas pipes being damaged – the force has spoken with the utility provider and the matter has been left with them regarding any further civil matters. There are no further criminal investigations into this matter. 'The local inspector for the area has met with members of the community to update them on the force's position and the local policing team will continue to engage with all those in the area and investigate and, where possible prosecute, any incidents that break the law.' The Mail has contacted South Derbyshire District Council and the Environment Agency for comment.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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