A LANDOWNER near Alresford has launched an appeal after being told to remove caravans from his field.

The owner of the site — a Mr J Hughes — made the move after East Hampshire District Council gave him until May 19 to clear the Ropley plot.

Villagers fear the field off Gascoigne Lane could become a travellers’ site after two caravans and hard-standing were installed without authorisation before Christmas.

The council began its enforcement action because the landowner failed to submit a completed planning application.

Chris Murray, head of planning at the district council, said the plans could not be considered until the applicant had shown what was being done with drainage.

Mr Murray said the appeal was a tactic to get the May 19 deadline extended.

He said: “They have got nothing to lose and it buys them some time.”

Michael Mates, MP for East Hampshire, said: “The problem of travellers buying land and then undertaking unauthorised development has grown in recent years.

“In effect, two different sets of planning rules now operate — one for those local residents who wish to build new homes or extend existing ones, and another, less restrictive for travellers.”