Travellers Build Four-Acre Site in Essex 'Military Operation' Over Bank Holiday Weekend

Villagers near an alleged illegal traveller site in Willows Green, near Felsted, Essex, told the BBC its rapid construction resembled a military operation.

Work started on the four-acre (1.6-hectare) field within hours of Uttlesford District Council closing for the bank holiday weekend on Friday. Since then, most of the field has been concreted over, with caravans pitched on it.

Uttlesford District Council said it was aware of an alleged unauthorised development. Traveller rights campaigner Sherrie Smith, who founded Gypsy and Travellers Essex, said those responsible were trying to be as accommodating and friendly as they could. They had apologised for any disruption.

Braintree MP and former Tory Home Secretary Sir James Cleverly accused the travellers of gaming the system. He said they were exploiting the gap in enforcement outside the council's normal working hours.

Residents said about 30 lorries delivered hardcore materials under cover of darkness as work began Friday. One resident, speaking anonymously, said, "It felt like a military operation. The sheer scale and enormity of it is breathtaking."

They added, "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. It's just railroaded, and that's unbelievable."

Drone images show individual fenced-off plots on the concreted land. Tracy Williams, a 42-year-old who has lived nearby for a decade, said people had been really upset, scared and intimidated. "It just feels really frustrating and uncomfortable," she said.

Another resident, speaking anonymously, claimed those behind the work used a drone as part of a skilled operation to catch people spying. Also calling it a military operation, they 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."

December meeting papers noted a need for 35 traveller pitches across the Uttlesford District Council area. Smith said planning processes often discriminated against her community and that seeking retrospective permission was a better alternative.

She met the people behind the construction, cousins who own the land and want 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."

Smith denied they had ripped out any ancient hedgerows and said those responsible were not troublemakers.

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."