Residents' anger as travellers churn up council land and disturb wildlife
Residents near a stretch of council land taken over by travellers in Retford are up in arms over damage being caused there.
Part of the site off Goosemoor Lane is within the Retford South conservation area, and people living nearby have become increasingly concerned about wildlife being disturbed by the activity.
There has been confusion over who owns the land, with some residents believing it had been sold to the travellers. But Bassetlaw Council confirmed that it is theirs, and that they are pursuing action to have the travellers moved on, after they previously ignored requests to do so.
Venting their frustration on social media and the Retford Information Page, residents said Ordsall and Retford are turning into 'traveller city'.
Carol Warrilow said: 'Travellers have started to tear up the land disturbing the wildlife which includes wild deer, which in their panic have nowhere to go except risk life and limb and are trying to get back to the land. An accident waiting to happen and as a wildlife lover l am horrified that this could be allowed to happen."
Elsie Oscroft said: 'The land is in a conservation area but they have bulldozed down trees in nesting season, destroyed greenery to make a path from Goosemoor Lane to the field and emptied lorry loads of hardcore rubble onto the field, flattened it and have four or five campervans on it."
Another person added: 'They are causing issues all around town with illegal parking of camper vans'.
Karen Booth said: 'I noticed few weeks back it had lots of stone put down and vans on there. Hopefully the deer find its way down Bracken Lane to the fields.'
A Bassetlaw District Council spokesperson said: “A legal notice has been served on those occupying the council owned land off Goosemoor Lane in Retford, which asks them to leave.
"As the occupants have not responded to this request, we have no option but to seek a court order to regain possession of the land.
“We have issued a claim for possession at Mansfield County Court, and we will continue to work through the legal process to regain possession of the site.
“If local residents have any concerns or witness any illegal activity taking place in the area, they are encouraged to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101.”