Travellers’ Bank Hol ‘land grab’ on wildlife haven near Rod Stewart’s mansion BLOCKED by cops to relief of fuming locals

DEFIANT villagers celebrated after a 24-hour vigil to stop a land grab by travellers ended with police turfing workers off the site. Up to 100 locals watched over the wildlife area — less than a mile from Sir Rod Stewart’s £4.65million mansion — after diggers turned up at the weekend. Police move in after the High Court’s decision Credit: JOHN McLELLAN Defiant villagers celebrated after a 24-hour vigil to stop a land grab by travellers ended with police turfing workers off the site Credit: LNP Workers began putting in fences and hardcore and laying pipes on the wetland and nature reserve in Sawbridgeworth, Herts. The travellers, who recently bought three fields in the area, ignored a temporary stop notice from East Herts District Council on Saturday and also refused access to Environment Agency officials concerned by the effect of pipework on the nearby River Stort. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Residents monitored the site through Sunday night as the council sought an injunction — and when the workers returned at 8am yesterday, police quickly arrived. Locals said officers threatened the travellers with arrest if work continued — thanks to a sweeping High Court injunction obtained early yesterday that has banned further development and caravans or mobile homes being occupied. One resident said: “It was a festival atmosphere overnight. “We were warned not to interfere when the travellers came back, just to let them start working but tell the police as soon as the injunction was broken. Fences and caravans were set up after the ground was levelled Credit: JOHN McLELLAN Fences and caravans set up after the ground was levelled Credit: Dan Charity / Newsgroup Newspapers Ltd The wildlife area is less than a mile from Sir Rod Stewart’s £4.65million mansion, pictured with wife Penny Lancaster Credit: PA A bare-chested, tattooed security guard stayed on the site and said: ‘I’m here to stop anybody coming on to this land who might try to remove or destroy the machinery’ Credit: JOHN McLELLAN “They came and turfed them out quickly and they say they will now keep guard.” A bare-chested, tattooed security guard stayed on the site and said: “I’m here to stop anybody coming on to this land who might try to remove or destroy the machinery.” Most read in The Sun One local called Laura, 45, said: “I love to walk here with my son but now there’s nothing left of it. “They’ve destroyed the habitat for the wildlife.” Another High Court hearing is due on September 15. Comment now