East Hampshire District Council is “actively dealing” with an incursion by travellers in Medstead.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the council said: “You may be aware that caravans moved on to a field in Medstead at the junction of Abbey Road and Wivelrod Road on Friday evening, May 22.

“East Hampshire District Council officers are fully aware of the matter and are actively dealing with it. Council officers attended the site on the weekend, and this morning, in response to the complaints raised.

“Our enforcement team are currently considering the facts of the site visits and are engaging with senior officers, our legal team and top London barristers chambers to assess what action is necessary.

“We will provide updates as soon as we are able, but in the meantime please be assured this is being dealt with. Please only report new information on this matter.”

Cllr Antonia Cox, the Hampshire county councillor for the Alton Rural division, said: “I am well aware of this, as is the leader of Hampshire County Council, Nick Adams-King.

“Since Saturday May 23 I have been in touch with Cllr Neal Day at East Hampshire District Council, as it is the planning enforcement authority.

“Cllr Tony Costigan told Shalden Parish Council on Wednesday that legal action is under way. I believe the law, including planning law, should apply equally to everybody, and that’s why it’s so important that East Hampshire District Council, as the planning enforcement body, takes action here.”

Two residents contacted the Herald to complain about the travellers.

One said: “This has all the hallmarks of an intentional unauthorised development by the gypsy and traveller community, following the pattern of similar activities in Surrey and other locations.

“Works began in the field late on Friday afternoon after the East Hampshire District Council offices would have closed, so preventing any immediate actions to stop the work, with the arrival of plant and machinery, lorry loads of hardcore and a number of caravans. Works have continued over the weekend, with a number of static homes delivered to the site.”

The other added: “A plan for six to eight pitches on this site was turned down, and turned down again on appeal.

“The land has been flattened over the bank holiday weekend, with hardcore, septic tanks and static caravans arriving. It’s a bit tense here at the moment.”

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The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is also aware of the incident. Anyone with further information should call the police on 101, quoting reference 44260241386, or report it online at www.hampshire.police.uk