Travellers 'rip up' protected field with bulldozers as terrified locals fear bank holiday 'land grab'

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No planning application for any works on the land has been lodged with Wirral Council, according to checks of the authority's planning portal

A group of travellers have torn up a protected greenbelt field using bulldozers and heavy machinery as locals fear a bank holiday "land grab" is under way.

Residents in Irby, Merseyside, believe the land has been purchased by travellers who are carrying out the works without authorisation.

A tall wooden fence measuring roughly 10ft was put up on the previously untouched plot within just 24 hours.

Loud excavation work took place directly beside neighbouring homes on Townshend Avenue.

The site, which spans nearly one acre, has been devastated by the activity, with photographs and footage capturing the extent of the destruction.

Multiple vehicles have been observed at the location, including three caravans, a pair of diggers, two cars and a van, with flatbed lorries and forklifts also noted to have arrived at the scene.

The freehold for the plot had previously been advertised by Home Estate Agents Wirral with a guide price between £90,000 and £100,000, and described as a desirable parcel of approximately 0.9 acres, surrounded by green space and farmland.

The listing, which has since been taken down, explicitly stated that the land sits within the green belt and is therefore subject to the relevant planning permissions and restrictions.

David Fairbairn, a local Conservative campaigner, said he was "outraged" by what had taken place and moved quickly to alert the council in the hope of halting the activity.

He told the Sun: "This piece of green belt land has suddenly turned into what looks like a building site almost overnight. We have checked, and it has got no planning applications."

Mr Fairbairn confirmed he had been in contact with the deputy leader of the Conservative group, who escalated the matter to the council "at the highest possible level."

He added: "The police have been alerted as well as other agencies. So I want to see this dealt with quickly, as I know local residents do. I have spoken to a lot of people who are very concerned about this work."

Councillor Mark Skillicorn separately flagged what he described as "suspicious activity" at the site, referring to it as a "potentially unauthorised encampment."

He confirmed that officers from the council's Resettlement Team, ASB Team and Planning Enforcement were all due to attend the location.

A spokesman for Wirral Council said the authority is "aware of the activities taking place on land" and "are monitoring developments closely."

They added: "As this is not council-owned land, we do not have powers to seek a Possession Order.

"However, we are working with a number of partner agencies to gather relevant information and will look to engage with the landowners before making a decision on the most suitable course of action."

Under existing rules, greenbelt land carries protected status but development can proceed if the appropriate permissions are secured, according to GOV.UK guidance.

Residents now await the outcome of the enforcement visit, with Mr Fairbairn and Cllr Skillicorn both pressing for swift action to address the situation.