Unknown group bulldoze field in South Downs despite notice

The field near Petworth was covered in green grass before the heavy machinery moved in over the bank holiday weekend.

They reportedly arrived at the site inside the South Downs National Park on Friday and have received council orders and visits from police.

Chichester District Council planning officers are understood to have attended on Friday to serve a Stop notice.

A female council worker posted a second notice on the gate to the site as an earlier order to stop work was ignored as three men carried on working,

Sussex Police are understood to have visited the site on Saturday.

The area was cleared and levelled over the weekend (Image: EDDIE MITCHELL) READ MORE: Busy high street partially closed for week

The area, thought to be the size of ten football pitches, was cleared and levelled over the weekend.

By Sunday afternoon, a septic tank was seen being delivered to the site as well as more gravel.
 

Local Tory MP Andrew Griffith responded after furious locals posted on social media.

The MP for Arundel and South Downs said: "I completely share the outrage and concern of residents about this illegal breach of all respected planning standards and behaviour.

"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.

"After I initially became aware, early on Friday morning I contacted Chichester District Council and the South Downs National Park insisting that the local council issue an emergency stop notice - which they did.

"Continuing to work on the site is now an offence.

"Chichester District Council have wide enforcement powers including the ability to enter a site and mount prosecutions and there is no excuse for them not having cover over bank holiday weekends when we know this sort of incident is most likely to take place."
 

Sussex Police, Chichester District Council and the South Downs National Park did not yet provide a comment.