Local MP Maria Miller has been working with residents of Taylors Farm since June to use the force of law to hold to account the new owners of the land at Dixon Road after more than 500 trees were illegally felled to clear the land.

Maria said: “I am deeply concerned about the planning application that has been lodged for the site at Dixon Road, proposing a change of use for siting caravans for residential purposes. The Dixon Road site is not designated for residential use in the Local Plan and has, according to reports from the Forestry Commission, been subject to extensive environmental destruction by the new owners. It would be an outrage if the legal system were to allow the new owners to benefit from this unlawful activity.

Maria added: “I will continue to do all that I can to support local residents, who have from the start wanted to see this land used for the benefit of the community.”