Fury as tiny hamlet besieged by 10 traveller sites sending property prices down

Residents in a small, scenic English hamlet have shared their frustration with the local council after a slew of traveller sites were established near their homes. Some locals are fearful for their safety as they say they have been hurled with verbal abuse, while signs at the entrance of the traveller sites read “enter at your own risk”. Residents of the quiet Surrey village of Shipley Bridge have said they are “outnumbered” and “besieged” as more than 70 caravans have shown up. 

At least 10 pitches have been occupied by travellers, as well as a stretch of country lane. One local said that the value of their property, which they paid close to £1 million for, has dropped by around a quarter. Villagers say that the travellers have been able to do what they want despite the rule, setting up shop and asking for permission later. Protected trees and green spaces have been hacked down and taken over, and concrete has been laid down against the rules. There have also been reports of anti-social behaviour, such as rocks thrown at cars.

One local man, Phil Cater, told the Daily Mail that he moved into his home in 2022, attracted to it for its surrounding woodland and scenic setting. However, travellers arrived six weeks later and started taking over the land surrounding his home.

“We bought this place because it was beautiful and it was surrounded by trees – protected trees. It was gorgeous,” he said.

“We moved in in February 2022, and within six weeks, the travellers turned up next door with heavy machinery and pulled down all the trees, mowed down all the shrubs and killed all the wildlife.

“Then the trucks came along and put in place hardcore around one metre deep. It was like a military operation. I paid nearly £1million for my house, and the value has dropped by at least one quarter of a million pounds, and that’s if I can even sell it.”

He said that he was attacked when he confronted people about having planning permission.

Locals said that this illegal construction typically begins at the start of a Bank Holiday weekend. By the time it is almost complete, by the following Tuesday, it is harder to reverse these land grabs.

Some threatening signs are seen around the traveller sites, which read: “Enter this site at your own risk”.

A planning policy announced by Angela Rayner in December 2024 means that councils must release green belt land to travellers if there is an “unmet need” for pitches they have claimed.

When these sites are established, and concrete is laid without planning permission, it often leads to costly processes for councils to kick them off. And in many cases, travellers have been granted the right to stay.

The number of caravans on pitches around the village has exceeded what was originally allowed. Tandridge Council said it has served 13 notices and obtained three High Court injunctions over the past 19 months regarding this issue.

Another local shared they feel “trapped” in their home “which no one will buy” saying “it has no value”.

Another said “our properties have lost value”.

A council spokesman said: “Enforcement cases are often complex, require multi-agency involvement and can take time to resolve, which may not always match residents’ expectations.”