Million-pound homeowners say they are being terrorised by balaclava-wearing travellers who bulldozed a beauty spot before moving caravans onto the land.
An illegal encampment appeared in the picturesque Hampshire village of South Warnborough over the August Bank Holiday weekend, while the local council offices were closed.
Residents claim they no longer feel safe in their own gardens, have been threatened and fear the development could make their properties harder to sell.
Several residents said they saw men wearing hoodies and balaclavas carrying out the construction work, which began at around 5.30pm on Friday, August 28, just as council officials were leaving for the three-day break.
Aerial photographs show that much of the eight-acre field has since been covered with tarmac, while several caravans and mobile homes have already been placed on the site.
Video footage shared with Our News Outlet shows diggers and vans being driven onto the field, known as Hares Farm, before the alleged “land grab” took place.
One local resident, who asked not to be named because of fears of reprisals, said: “A number of residents no longer feel safe in their own back gardens.
“There are a number of vulnerable local residents who don’t feel particularly safe going outside.
“It has seriously affected the mental health and anxiety levels of a number of vulnerable people in the immediate area.”
An illegal encampment was established in the picturesque Hampshire village of South Warnborough over the August Bank Holiday weekend, while council offices were closed
Several caravans have been brought onto the land and are reportedly now being rented out
Video footage shared with Our News Outlet shows diggers and vans arriving at the site before work began
Another resident said: “When the travellers first arrived on Friday evening, they pulled up their hoodies and some were wearing balaclavas as they operated the machinery and carried out the work.
“It was particularly intimidating.”
The events reflect a wider trend in which travellers buy greenbelt land, often in leafy parts of the Home Counties, before establishing unauthorised sites.
Retrospective planning permission is then sought, with some of the encampments eventually receiving approval on appeal.
The issue has caused increasing concern since planning policy changes were introduced in December 2024 by Angela Rayner, Labour’s then-Housing Secretary.
The reforms increased the pressure on councils to release greenbelt land for travellers when there is an “unmet need” for pitches.
“What has happened [in South Warnborough] is simply harrowing. The travellers deliberately stormed the land,” the nearby resident said.
“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.
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The local 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.
Our News Outlet 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.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said: ‘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’
‘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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