A group of travellers have taken over a large field in the South Downs National Park, sparking anger among local residents.
At least 10 vehicles, including seven caravans and motorhomes, have pitched up on what has become a building site at Blind Lane, near Petworth in West Sussex.
The site is located just three miles from former footballer and actor Vinnie Jones's farm.
Residents in nearby villages were stunned when industrial diggers began tearing up the field on Friday morning.
A group of travellers have taken over a large field in the South Downs National Park
Eddie Mitchell - X
In a separate incident, around 20 caravans moved onto Woodgate Valley Country Park in Birmingham on Bank Holiday Monday.
The 450-acre park is a designated nature reserve in the centre of Bartley Green and Quinton.
The work, which involved several industrial vehicles ploughing through the fields, started without planning permission and continued over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Builders arrived at the site on Friday and carried on despite council notices and visits from Sussex Police.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Residents in nearby villages were stunned when industrial diggers began tearing up the field on Friday morning
Eddie Mitchell - X
The area, thought to be the size of ten football pitches, was cleared and levelled over the weekend.
A septic tank was delivered to the site on Sunday afternoon, along with more gravel.
Chichester District Council immediately sent planning enforcement officers to assess the site and served a temporary stop notice on Friday.
A female council planning officer posted a second notice on Monday as three men continued working.
Local MP Andrew Griffith said he shared the 'outrage' of residents
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As the notice has been breached, the council is taking further legal steps, including seeking an injunction through the courts.
Local MP Andrew Griffith said he shared the "outrage" of residents and accused the developers of "making a mockery" of planning laws.
He said: "It makes a mockery of a system where we all jump through lengthy and costly hoops to install a dormer window when such brazen breaches happen unchecked."
Griffith contacted Chichester District Council and the South Downs National Park early Friday morning.
Sussex Police confirmed they are aware of concerns about the Petworth site but described it as "a civil matter".
In Birmingham, Councillor Kerry Brewer expressed concern about the Woodgate Valley encampment.
"The concern will be the environmental risk and possible damage to the woodland area," she said.
She questioned the cost of these encampments for Birmingham's "bankrupt council".
