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Land was swarmed by work crews on Friday, who began excavating, installing fencing and cutting down trees without planning permission

Residents of a Hertfordshire town have spent the bank holiday weekend fighting back against unannounced construction work that sparked anger over planning, wildlife and community degradation.

Land beside Sheering Mill Lane, Sawbridgeworth was swarmed by machinery and work crews on Friday, who began excavating, installing fencing and cutting down trees without planning permission.

The site is understood to have recently changed hands, although the new owners have not been publicly identified.

Residents described the weekend's activity as an attempted land grab by suspected travellers setting up an illegal encampment.

The development prompted East Hertfordshire District Council to issue a temporary stop notice on Saturday morning.

The council then sought urgent legal intervention, resulting in a High Court injunction being granted and served shortly after midnight on Monday.

The order prohibited activities including bringing caravans onto the land and occupying it to carry out development, with police also given powers to arrest anyone breaching the injunction.

Despite the order, residents said work continued into Monday morning.

Police eventually attended the site at around 9.30am, after which those without permission to remain left peacefully, with no arrests made.

The confrontation drew hundreds of local people to the area, with residents organising overnight watches in an effort to prevent further construction.

Katie, a 44-year-old Guide leader who lives locally, said the events were unprecedented for the normally quiet community.

"We’ve never had anything like this in Sawbridgeworth,” she told the Telegraph, adding: “We’re sleepy Sawbridgeworth.”

Residents have also raised concerns about the environmental impact, claiming the land is a flood plain and provides habitat for a range of species, including bats, birds, badgers and water voles.

One large willow tree was also reportedly felled after work began.

Samantha Soames, a former journalist from the nearby town of Bishop’s Stortford, said she initially visited the site to observe events, but became involved after seeing the tree being cut down.

She said the incident raised broader questions about the protection of undeveloped land and wildlife.

Meanwhile, Nicola Lever, who has lived nearby for more than two decades, said she first believed people on the land might simply be fishing, before seeing construction activity intensify.

The dispute has also generated concerns about property values, local planning controls and the perceived safety of the community.

Despite the seriousness of the confrontation, residents have maintained a communal atmosphere during an overnight vigil, bringing camp chairs, gazebos, food and hot drinks as people took shifts through the night.

By Monday afternoon, most of those involved in the construction had left, albeit one man remained on the land, reportedly with permission from the owner.

A further court hearing is scheduled for September 15, when the legal dispute over the site is expected to be considered.

East Hertfordshire Council said it would continue working with Hertfordshire Constabulary and other agencies to monitor the land and prevent further unauthorised work.

Police confirmed that officers had attended following the amended injunction, and that everyone without authorisation to remain had departed peacefully.

The residents, however, say they have no intention of abandoning their vigil, and are prepared to “continue to fight” to protect the area.