Residents complain about 'unauthorised' mobile homes
BBCResidents of a village in Surrey have raised concerns about "distressing" building work on a green field site which has seen mobile homes and gravel appear over the Easter weekend.
Pirbright Parish Council said it had received hundreds of complaints about the work in Gole Road, near Woking, after it began on 3 April and continued 6 April.
Nearby residents want the site returned to its original state, but fear more mobile homes could be brought in.
Guildford Borough Council, which is responsible for planning in the area, said it was aware of the "unauthorised development" and "have several enforcement options", but warned that legal process "can take time".
Wendy, who lives in the area, said it was an empty field for a long time before large lorries arrived on Good Friday morning.
"It's really shocking to see lorries lined up, and to see the amount of hardcore that has just been dumped," she said.
Her husband, Paul, added: "It's quite distressing because it is meant to be protected, but there has been no thought."
Guildford Borough Council confirmed that there was no planning permission in place for the site.
Helen Myers, clerk for Pirbright Parish Council, said that it feared "many, many more" mobile homes could be planned for the site.
"Hundreds of residents have contacted us," she said.
"There's really very little an authority can do to stop it while it's happening."
Guildford Borough Council said it took planning breaches "extremely seriously".
"If a breach of planning control is confirmed on any site in the borough, we have several enforcement options," a spokesperson added.
"We are required to follow the legal process, which can take time. But we remain committed to taking action and pursuing every enforcement route available to us."
The BBC has attempted to approach the owners of the land but has been unable to identify them.
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