Residents in South Warnborough, Hampshire, say they have been left feeling unsafe after an alleged illegal travellers’ encampment was established on an eight-acre field over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Hart District Council has served an injunction against the development at Hares Farm, but people are understood to be continuing to live in caravans and mobile homes on the land.
Locals said heavy machinery was brought on to the former farmland at about 5.30pm on Friday, August 28, as council offices were closing for the three-day break. Aerial images show parts of the field covered in tarmac, with several caravans already in place.
Residents reported seeing men wearing hoodies and balaclavas operating diggers and carrying out construction work. One said the arrival of the machinery and the speed of the work had been particularly intimidating.
“A number of local residents no longer feel safe in their own back gardens,” the resident said. “There’s a number of vulnerable local residents that don’t feel particularly safe going outside.”
They added that the situation had affected “the mental health and anxiety levels of a number of vulnerable people” living nearby.
South Warnborough residents raise safety and property concerns
Those living close to the site have also complained of increased traffic and noise on the narrow country lane leading to the field, with vehicles reportedly travelling along the road during the night.
One homeowner said the uncertainty surrounding the development had raised fears about selling property in the area and the potential effect on house values.
“You would just have to put your plans on hold,” they said.
Another local resident described the arrival as a deliberate attempt to establish a foothold on the land and claimed the action was “simply harrowing”. They said: “It’s just shock and awe tactics. It’s complete lawlessness.”
The resident also said police had described the matter as civil rather than criminal. The field, previously understood to have been used for arable farming, was reportedly bought for more than £100,000 before being converted into a travellers’ site.
The council’s injunction warns that anyone continuing to carry out work on the pitch could be held in contempt of court, potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment.
Police say South Warnborough dispute is a civil matter
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers were aware of development work carried out on private land during 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,” the spokesperson 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.”
The force said it had increased patrols in the area and would continue supporting residents and the council. It added that officers had not received reports of criminal offences, urging anyone who had been a victim of crime to report it directly.
Hart District Council said it would not comment while legal proceedings were ongoing.
The development follows concerns raised over travellers purchasing greenbelt land before unauthorised sites are established and planning permission is sought retrospectively. Planning reforms introduced in December 2024 strengthened requirements for councils to release greenbelt land for travellers where there is an “unmet need” for pitches.
