Residents in South Warnborough, Hampshire, have raised concerns about their safety and property values after an unauthorised traveller site was established on an eight-acre field during the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The development reportedly began on Friday, August 28, when diggers, vans and other heavy machinery were brought onto Hares Farm at around 5.30pm, shortly before council offices closed for the three-day break.
Residents said men wearing hoodies and balaclavas were involved in the construction work. Aerial images show that large sections of the field have since been covered with tarmac, with caravans and mobile homes positioned on the land.
Video footage shared with the Daily Mail captured vehicles and machinery entering the site before the work began.
Homeowners Say They No Longer Feel Safe
Several residents have described feeling intimidated by the development, with some saying they no longer feel comfortable in their gardens or outside their homes.
One resident, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals, said the situation had affected vulnerable people living nearby.
“A number of local residents no longer feel safe in their own back gardens,” the resident said.
They added that some people were reluctant to go outside and that the situation had affected the mental health and anxiety levels of residents in the immediate area.
Another local resident said the clothing worn by some of the men operating the machinery had made the activity particularly intimidating.
Residents Fear Impact on Property Values
Homeowners have also expressed concern about increased traffic and noise along the narrow country lane leading to the site.
One resident said vehicles had been travelling along the road throughout the night, creating disruption for people living nearby.
The homeowner said the uncertainty surrounding the development had raised questions about whether residents would be able to sell their properties and whether house prices would be affected.
“It is a really uncertain time for a number of reasons, obviously it is really near our property,” the resident said.
They added that some homeowners might have to postpone their plans while the legal process continued.
Council Secures Injunction Against Development
Hart District Council has obtained an injunction relating to the development, although people are reportedly continuing to live in caravans on the site.
The court order warned that anyone who continued carrying out work on the land could be held in contempt of court, potentially resulting in imprisonment or fines.
The field is understood to have been used for arable farming before it was reportedly purchased for more than £100,000 and converted into a site for caravans and mobile homes.
Hart District Council declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
Police Say Dispute Is a Civil Legal Matter
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that officers were aware of the development work carried out over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
A spokesperson said police were in contact with Hart District Council, which is responsible for addressing the matter through the civil legal process.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
Police said they had increased patrols in the area and would continue supporting residents and the council as the matter progressed.
The force added that officers had not received reports of criminal offences relating to the incident and urged anyone who had been a victim of crime to report it directly.
Dispute Reflects Wider Concerns Over Unauthorised Land Development
The South Warnborough development comes amid wider concerns about cases in which land, including greenbelt plots in parts of the Home Counties, is purchased and subsequently developed into traveller sites without prior planning permission.
In some cases, retrospective planning applications are submitted, with certain developments receiving approval on appeal.
The issue has attracted further attention following planning policy changes introduced in December 2024 under Labour’s then-Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner. The reforms strengthened requirements for councils to release greenbelt land for traveller pitches where there is an unmet need.
Residents near Hares Farm have questioned whether the development is exploiting gaps in planning regulations and said they want greater certainty over the site’s future.
For now, the injunction remains in place while the legal process continues, with residents awaiting further developments.
