Travellers who paved over field in ‘Bank Holiday land grab’ & installed four caravans are FINALLY ordered to rip up site

3 comments 3 Next A GROUP of travellers who seized a stunning village plot in a “Bank Holiday land grab” have been ordered to tear down their illegal camp. Three Traveller families moved onto the plot and erected a 10-foot-high fence and laid hard standing, over the bank Holiday Weekend in August. 8 The green belt would cost £90,000 to £100,000 to buy Credit: SWNS 8 Police escorted the traveller family onto the piece of land Credit: SWNS Advertisement Locals were furious to see their rural site on Townshend Avenue in Irby, Merseyside transform from beauty to blight in less than a week. It was one of many ‘land grabs’ this year – with travellers alleged to be targeting areas while council officials were on long weekends. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Aerial images taken last month showed four caravans – one of which was escorted onto the plot with the help of police . Read more news OFF THE SHELF Popular puddings pulled from supermarket shelves as they 'may contain glass' VILE THUG Boy suffers ‘life-changing injuries’ after confronting ‘fat man’ weeing in street A building with astroturf, three cars, and a van were later brought onto the land. 8 In just 24 hours, a 10 foot wooden fence had been erected Credit: SWNS 8 Three cars, and a van were later brought onto the land Credit: SWNS Among the camp were vehicles, machinery, materials, toilet blocks, shower blocks, septic tanks, and drainage pipes. Advertisement Wirral Council launched an investigation into the Travellers ‘ actions and implemented a temporary stop notice on August 28, which was due to expire this month. However, the travellers have finally been served an enforcement notice to pack up – and remove all their plumbing and hardstanding. Most read in The Sun JAILHOUSE SHOCK Early release lags 'given tents' as probation service 'runs out of housing' CLOCK ’N’ ROLL Chris Martin's ancestor invented BST - Coldplay star's link to clock changes CONGO OH-NO Brit solo kayaking ‘world’s deadliest waterway’ reveals most gruesome threat COP SHOCK Met admits it DID receive letter about Meg dad but didn't share with other forces The notice of eight demands insists the owners must fully restore the land by removing the hardcore and re-seeding the soil. Greasby, Frankby and Irby ward councillor Mark Skillicorn believes the local authority had worked hard to address his concerns and those of worried residents. He said: “The council has now served a formal planning enforcement notice regarding the unauthorised encampment at Townshend Avenue. Advertisement “The notice requires the residential use of the land to cease, the caravans and associated infrastructure to be removed, and the land to be restored.” 8 The travellers moved in just after a bank holiday in August Credit: SWNS 8 Flatbed trucks and forklifts were also spotted going into the site Credit: SWNS However, the ward councillor said he was unable to share a timescale for the removal due to the human rights and equality legislation. Local Conservative campaigner David Fairbairn, 67, also welcomed the council’s actions. Advertisement He said: “It is definitely a move in the right direction. “I said all along the council needs to be robust in their action. “I hope they now remain vigilant in maintaining the integrity of the planning process and protecting green belt land.” Locals were “furious” when the travellers first moved onto the encampment and said they found them “intimidating”. Though it exploded after police escorted a large caravan onto the plot on September 13. Advertisement Merseyside Police previously said they are “duty-bound to escort vehicles that could pose a safety risk to other motorists due to their size or weight”. One homeowner said he believed police were more interested in the welfare of the travellers than in the welfare of other Townshend Avenue residents. He added that the assisting police looked like “bodyguards” and it felt like the travellers were “customers”. A “feisty” conversation between residents and travellers followed later that day, according to one homeowner. One of the landowners is alleged to have told residents words to the effect of “We’re here now, get used to it, we mean you no harm”. Advertisement Following what happened, an anonymous local said: “It’s really intimidating. Our mental health is diminishing; our rational thoughts are diminishing. Everyone I’ve spoken to is distressed. “I understand the council are doing investigations, but they need to put comms out and let us know.” The plot of green land, which stretches 0.9 acres long, can only be built on with the correct permissions, and is also protected. Its green belt status is designed to prevent urban sprawl in the area, safeguard the countryside, and encourage development in more brownfield sites instead. 8 Locals are relieved the caravans will go Credit: SWNS Advertisement 8 Local Conservative campaigner, David Fairbairn, hopes the council ‘remain vigilant’ Credit: SWNS The freehold for the plot was up for sale on the website Home Estate Agents Wirral with a guide price of £90,000 to £100,000. But the listing has since been removed, according to the website, and is thought to have been legally bought by the Travellers. It was described as an “excellent opportunity to acquire a parcel of land extending to approximately 0.9 acres” which is “situated in a highly sought-after location”. This new enforcement notice is the first formal step taken by the council in addressing the unauthorised use of the site and protecting the Council’s longer-term enforcement position under its Local Plan. Advertisement Councils up and down the country find themselves in a similar position as Irby – with sleepy Hampshire village, South Warnborough, also plagued with rumbling heavy machinery on their green land. Villagers were jolted awake by a gang of masked men tearing up and paving over swathes of picturesque agricultural fields under the ruthless glare of harsh floodlights. RECOMMENDED STORIES Then came a snaking convoy of unsightly caravans , followed by 12 septic tanks, unlicensed vehicles, noisy generators and kids on roaring quad bikes. Wirral Council were approached for comment. 3 comments 3