TRAVELLERS have pitched up on land opposite a development - despite bollards being in place to prevent vehicles driving onto the land.

Eleven caravans and a number of vans moved onto land in St Nicholas Lane, Laindon, opposite the junction of Ballards Walk on Friday morning.

The council-owned land is close to the site where Redrow Homes is building 135 new houses.

In 2015, caravans pitched up on playing fields at Ballards Walk, which were sold off by the council to Redrow.

Then, in May last year, travellers camped on this same piece of land, which is down the road from the James Hornsby High School.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "We live in Sains right opposite the site where they have pitched up.

"It is pretty frustrating as we thought the council had resolved the problem when the put a fence up where the travellers had originally been.

"Me and my partner were out walking when we spotted two caravans pulling into the field via the gate which is on the hill leading up to the church.

"I don't know whether they forced their way into the field or the council had left the gate open by mistake when they had cut the grass over there, but since then the site seems to have grown."