Residents ‘Deeply Distressed’ After Travellers Begin Developing Rural Site

Published on: 8 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 10 Apr, 2026

The site from the air. The site was transformed from a field to a fully fledged mobile home/caravan park over the Easter weekend.

By David Reading

Update: see local councillor’s reaction below.

An unauthorised travellers’ site that has been set up on rural land in Alfold has created distress and anger among people living nearby, according to MP Sir Jeremy Hunt.

There are numerous vehicles on the site in Loxwood Road and groundwork has been taking place.

Waverley Borough Council says it is exploring its legal options to prevent the unauthorised development from progressing further. Two stop notices were issued last week, but these appear to have been ignored.

Godalming and Ash MP Sir Jeremy Hunt in Parliament.

Jeremy Hunt, Conservative MP for Godalming and Ash, believes that UK planning law is failing communities and he is raising the matter with the Housing Secretary, Steve Reed.

Hunt said: ““Families who chose to live in Alfold for its tranquillity are having to watch in disbelief as a once-beautiful field is built over, in open defiance of planning law and two stop notices served by the council over the weekend.

“The strength of feeling locally is immense. People are deeply distressed, angry and feel powerless.”

The council said its officers visited the site in Alfold on Thursday and Friday last week, with temporary stop notices issued both times. But on Tuesday (April 7), the council learned that further works were carried out over the Easter weekend.

A council statement said: “We are pursuing all appropriate legal options to secure the reversal of any unauthorised development, and to prevent any further planning breaches.”

This week the council said its officers had revisited the site and background work was taking place to “establish a full understanding” of the situation.

MP Hunt said: “Residents rightly expect the law to be upheld, and there is a very strong sense that urgent and decisive action is now needed.

“But this is just the most recent in a series of cases which indicate planning law as it stands is failing us. I will be raising this urgently with the Housing Minister, because communities such as Alfold deserve a planning system that works for law-abiding residents, not against them.”

Surrey Police said it was aware of the reports of a large number of vehicles and people on the site but as this was a planning permission issue, the Waverley Borough Council was the lead agency.

Councillor condemns blatant disregard for planning law and harm to local community

Cllr Kevin Deanus

Today (Thursday, April 9) local borough and county councillor Kevin Deanus (Con) said: “As both a local resident and a councillor, I am appalled by the behaviour taking place at this site. The actions undertaken appear deliberate and calculated, showing a clear and unacceptable disregard for the planning system that exists to protect communities and our countryside.

“There has been a complete failure to show consideration for local residents. Construction work has reportedly taken place from the crack of dawn and continued throughout the night, causing serious disruption and distress. The impact on the surrounding countryside has been substantial and deeply regrettable.

“The planning system applies to everyone. Residents, small businesses, and developers alike are expected to follow the rules, and no one should believe they are above the law. Ignoring those rules undermines public trust and damages the very fabric of our local community.

“I am calling for this matter to be addressed urgently and decisively. Any breaches must be properly investigated, and appropriate enforcement action taken where necessary.

“I will continue to stand firmly alongside local residents and will support them every step of the way until this issue is fully resolved and accountability is secured.”