An unauthorised traveller encampment has been constructed on a field in a quiet Bedfordshire village with locals left “outnumbered”.
The development appeared adjacent to an existing legal traveller site in Tilsworth, with construction beginning on Friday, June 12, just as Central Bedfordshire Council staff were clocking off for the weekend.
Residents have described their lives as being made “hell” by the sudden appearance of the encampment, which now houses 19 motorhomes and caravans alongside approximately 70 on the neighbouring established site.
Villagers claim hedgerows and wildlife habitats were destroyed during the rapid construction, which they have likened to a “military-scale invasion”.
With the village comprising around 140 homes, some locals now claim that travellers outnumber permanent residents, particularly given that many of the mobile homes reportedly accommodate five or six occupants each.
One villager, who declined to give his name after hearing about alleged threats, expressed concern about the shifting demographics of the community.
A resident attempting to sell her £500,000 property described the situation as making a sale “impossible”, while others fear the traveller sites could reduce their home values by hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Those living on the new site have disputed claims of problems, with one occupant stating: “I have only been here two days. I’ll be gone soon.”
Travellers concreted over ENTIRE field in the village
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SUPPLIEDLocals report that their ordeal has included persistent noise from construction activity, while on one occasion waste burning at the site sent smoke drifting across the village.
A foul odour has also allegedly plagued residents, with claims that a sewage tanker on the existing traveller site has overflowed.
One father living near the encampment told the Daily Mail: “We just don’t feel it’s fair that travellers are able to move into a field and cause mayhem.”
He added that occupants of the new site had warned residents they “can’t do anything” and declared they would “do what they want”.
Villages have warned the group has ’caused mayhem’
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SUPPLIEDThe same resident described feeling threatened and silenced by the official response to their concerns.
Central Bedfordshire Council secured a Temporary Stop Notice on June 16 under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, compelling all building work to halt.
Officials say they have monitored the location closely and confirmed that construction has ceased, with plant machinery now being removed from the land.
The authority is currently awaiting a High Court hearing date to pursue an injunction against the site.
Residents were left ‘stunned’ by the council’s response to the site
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SUPPLIEDHowever, residents were left “stunned” after receiving what they described as a “threatening” email from a council official in response to their numerous complaints.
The message stated: “The frequency of these emails is starting to prevent the officers conducting their duties. I am concerned by some of the opinions expressed.”
Councillors are now examining a retrospective planning application for the encampment, which could potentially result in the development receiving official approval despite its illegal origins.
One villager highlighted what they perceive as double standards, stating: “We were refused planning permission to extend our conservatory slightly and have a change of use in one room – the council came down on us like a tonne of bricks. But they roll out a red carpet for travellers.”
Central Bedfordshire Council said they ‘understand’ the concerns of villagers
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WIKICOMMONS
A spokesman for Central Bedfordshire Council told GB News: “We understand the concern this matter has caused for residents in Tilsworth, and we recognise that people want clear information about what action the council has taken.
“Officers have responded quickly and treated this as a priority. The council was notified that works had begun on the land in the evening of Friday June 12. Our officers worked late to arrange a visit to the site the next working day to establish the facts and gather the evidence needed to take formal action.
“A Temporary Stop Notice was served on Tuesday, June 16, under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, requiring all further construction work to cease. Since then, the site has been monitored closely, with officers confirming that construction work has stopped and plant machinery is being removed.
“We have received a significant number of enquiries from residents and have responded to those who have contacted us. We will provide further updates when there is a material change.
“The council must follow the correct legal process and ensure any formal action is supported by evidence.
“This is the same process as we do for other matters of this nature, such as the illegal development by Captain Tom’s family, the process, which was correctly followed in line with our normal practice and procedures, from our initial investigations through the serving of formal notices which were then subsequently dismissed at appeal and leading to the demolition of the outbuilding took just over two years.
“The Council is waiting for the date of the hearing with the High Court judge to seek to obtain an injunction for the site.”