Our picturesque countryside became an eyesore ‘concrete jungle' in 72 HOURS thanks to fleet of caravans
NEIGHBOURS claim their picturesque countryside village became a "concrete jungle"' just 72 hours after a fleet of caravans moved in.
The plot of land in Burtonwood, Cheshire has been completely transformed after diggers and excavators moved on to the site last month.
Advertisement
3
The site is located on green belt land and could be a planning violation
Credit: SWNS
3
It was turned into a 'concrete jungle' just 72 hours after the sale went through
Credit: SWNS
Work began at 6pm on May 23 - just hours after the sale of the six-acre site was approved.
Locals reported that excavators and tipper trucks were working through the night to convert the once-green field into a gravel
The work was conducted on greenbelt land without planning permission, leaving residents frustrated.
During three days of unauthorised work, half the field was covered in hardcore, and a 10ft-high wooden fence was erected around the boundary.
Advertisement
Read more News
Since then, over a dozen caravans and other vehicles have moved onto the site.
Given its status as a greenbelt, residents have complained that the land should be used solely for agricultural purposes.
While the new inhabitants have filed a retrospective planning application, Warrington Borough Councillor Stuart Mann has confirmed that an investigation has been launched.
Mann told the Mail that he had received 'hundreds' of emails while more than 50 people turned up to his surgery to
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
Locals also vented their concerns on social media.
Shocking moment biker yob drags hero cop down road after fleeing during arrest for doing wheelies in town-centre
Another added: "Blame the person who sold the land to them in the first place.
Stuart has raised the issue with the chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, as well as the MP for Warrington North.
Advertisement
He said: "I have received, from borough council planning and enforcement teams, that a retrospective planning application has been received, but that it is yet to be validated.
"Any such application has to be determined on its relative merits.
"This will take a number of weeks."
Vice chairman of Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council Nigel Catlow described it as a
Advertisement
Writing to the council he said: "The landowners appear to be in serious breach, making the most of the Bank Holiday and the council being on a long weekend.
"This is of
An enforcement notice has been taken to the site, but Stuart said it could take weeks for the issue to be
It is particularly difficult as Stuart highlighted that it is "important for it to be known the people who have done this own the land."
Advertisement
Commenters on the article shared similar incidents in their own villages as one said: "We've had a similar situation and it is now years down the line and the council seem to find it impossible to do anything about it."
Others were less sympathetic, using it as an opportunity to mock the council's lack of effiency.
One said: "They sound like better organisers than most councils and government departments."
Cheshire Police and Scottish Power have also been informed.
Advertisement
3
Locals have complained to the council about the development
Credit: SWNS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Love Island contestant quits show hours after cast reveal for ‘personal reasons' following arrest revelation
Ashman, 23, a water operative from Stafford, was among the original cast members set to appear on the reality dating series, which returns to ITV2 on Monday, June 9. However, the broadcaster has since removed him from the show following the emergence of a past incident. 'For personal reasons, Kyle will not be entering the Love Island villa as planned', ITV said in a statement. According to reports, Ashman was previously arrested in connection with a violent incident earlier this year. The Sun claims the arrest was linked to a machete attack that occurred in February at a wake in Stafford, during which several people were injured. One man reportedly sustained near life-changing injuries to his arm, while others were attacked with a glass, a metal pole, and a car. Ashman was released without charge and has denied any involvement. In a statement, he said: 'I fully cooperated with this police investigation and made it very clear that I had no involvement in this incident. 'I am not a violent person, and any suggestion otherwise is a mischaracterisation.' ITV is understood to have been unaware of Ashman's arrest prior to the show's cast reveal. The decision to remove him was made after the incident was flagged to producers by The Sun. ADVERTISEMENT Deadline also reported that no contestants had entered the Mallorca villa at the time ITV made its decision and the show's format remains unaffected. Love Island is set to return for its twelfth summer series on Monday, with Maya Jama once again leading the show as host. This marks Jama's fourth time presenting the main series, having become the face of the ITV2 dating show in 2022. In addition to the flagship summer edition, she has also hosted both of the franchise's All Stars spin-offs, which aired in January over the past two years and were filmed in South Africa.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Satellite pic from days after Maddie vanished shows eerie ‘tent' in Brueckner's camping spot now being searched by cops
MADELEINE McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner stayed in a 'wild camping' ground on land now being scoured by cops, The Sun can reveal. Search teams have Advertisement 16 A recent satellite picture of the farmhouse 16 A satellite image of the farmhouse in 2007, seemingly with a tent inside 16 Police searching the abandoned building on Tuesday Credit: Dan Charity 16 Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Beurckner pictured arriving in to court in 2024 Credit: Dan Charity 16 Madeleine McCann disappeared in Praia da Luz, Portugal on May 3, 2007 Credit: AFP 16 And German police leading the hunt hope Searchers were yesterday focusing on at least Sun analysis of a June 2007 satellite image of one building being The stone-walled property was photographed from space on June 22, 2007 - seven weeks after Maddie was Advertisement read more on maddie Recent pictures of the same spot show the building's massive deterioration - and lay bare the enormous task facing police seeking The 2007 images shows the roofless cottage or barn is approximately 58ft long by 25ft wide with a white, 9ft tent like structure pitched inside its walls. It is impossible to say whether the building was occupied by Brueckner or one of a number of hippie types living in the area in camper vans and tents at the time. But fading hopes of finding evidence linking him to the three-year-old British tot were also being hampered by the Advertisement Most read in The Sun Chain saws and diggers were drafted in to excavate ground and clear thick undergrowth which has overwhelmed many of the abandoned buildings. And luxury holiday homes have been built on other key spots within a ten acre area being combed by scores of Portuguese and German cops. 16 The abandoned house was scoured in the first day of the Maddie search Credit: Dan Charity 16 The barn was filled with overgrown shrubbery Advertisement 16 A mugshot of Christian Brueckner Teams spent yesterday toiling in 29C heat at the seaside search plot in an area called Atalaia, a mile east of the Ocean Club and half a mile from Brueckner's old house. Ground penetrating Locals said the spot close to a cliff was once a romantic spot where Portuguese couples would canoodle after dark in their cars. Advertisement But by the early noughties the open scrubland offering sea views and no parking charges attracted a foreign 'wild camper' set - Police are believed to have launched their 'last throw of the dice' search after tip-offs from associates about the area and geolocation checks of his computer hardware. Local man Joao Pedro , 63, who grew up in the area, told The Sun: 'It used to be a romantic spot - I used to take my girlfriends there. 'But at the time Maddie went missing in the noughties it was very popular with foreign campers and you'd see camper vans and tents there all time. Advertisement 'It was totally unregulated back then and strangers would just pitch up and stay there for free and no one would bother them.' 16 Police will be searching scrub land, using radar equipment 16 A firefighter draining a well with a yellow hose pipe 16 One of the derelict and abandoned properties close to Praia De Luz, Portugal, which has been searched by teams investigating on Wednesday Advertisement 16 Kate (R) and Gerry McCann hold pyjamas similar to those of their daughter during a press conference in 2007 Credit: Getty A police source at the scene told The Sun yesterday that searches were focusing on the area because Brueckner used to camp in the buildings. One officer said: 'We are here because Brueckner used to camp here. Not only Brueckner but many people.' The Sun also examined historic satellite imagery showing Brueckner's single story house around half a mile from the current search site at the time of the abduction. Advertisement Images recorded in 2006 and 2007 show vehicles resembling his distinctive VW camper van nearby. He moved out of the white and yellow bungalow in late 2006 but a white roofed van still appears to be parked outside it in June 2007 after Maddie was snatched. A white structure erected close to his house in 2006 when he lived there also appears to have vanished the following year. Imagery also shows scores of open wells across the entire search area which were being drained and methodically checked for clues yesterday. Advertisement Wider satellite pictures taken in 2007 show a string of building plots around the current search area - which have since become luxury homes and holiday estates. The worst fear of officers is that Brueckner could have hidden Maddie's body or vital clues in the foundations of buildings which would now be impossible to excavate. Hopes that telltale fragments of clothing - like the missing tot's pink Eeyore pyjamas - might be found are also remote. German federal officers are racing against time to find vital DNA clues after the 48-year-old fiend Brueckner boasted he would 'go to ground' when he is released in September. Advertisement The vile pervert - who cops are convinced took and killed Maddie - is currently due to finish a seven year sentence for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. A Portuguese police source said last night: 'This really is a last ditch effort - search teams here are hoping they get lucky. 'Officers are determined to do everything they possibly can before Brueckner walks free. They know what is at stake.' 16 A criminal police investigator walks near ruins as police resume the search for the body of Madeleine McCann today Advertisement 16 One of the derelict and abandoned properties close to Praia da Luz 16 One abandoned house was scoured earlier on Wednesday TIMELINE OF EVENTS Here's a timeline of the case which has gripped the world. May 3, 2007 January 15, 2016 Neighbour reports a possible 'grave' at Brueckner's abandoned factory in East Germany. Cops find disturbing February 16, 2016 Christian Brueckner is convicted for abusing a girl of five in a park after images found on his laptop. He was sentenced to 15-months behind bars but was already on the run by then. May 3, 2017 Around this time, He reports an alleged confession by Christian Brueckner. September 27, 2018 On-the-run Christian Brueckner is arrested over outstanding drugs claims in Italy. He is extradited to Germany the following year. December 16, 2019 Christian Brueckner was convicted, in Germany, for the 2005 rape of an American woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, after his DNA was matched to a hair found on her bed. He was sentenced to seven years behind bars. June 4, 2020 German prosecutors reveal to the world they have a suspect in custody under investigation for the abduction of Madeleine McCann. For the first time they claim German media later name him as June 23, 2023 In his first interview, witness Helge B alleges to German newspaper Bild that Christian Brueckner all-but-confessed the Madeleine abduction to him, by allegedly saying 'she didn't scream' as they talked about the case, at a music festival, in Spain. February 16, 2024 Brueckner goes on trial accused of non-McCann allegations of rape and sex assault, in Braunschweig, Germany. Prosecutors hope for a conviction to keep him behind bars permanently and lead to McCann charges. October 8, 2024 Prosecutors launch an appeal, however. Decision pending. June 3, 2025 September 17, 2025 Date on which Prosecutors require an arrest warrant for a retrial over claims from last year - or over the McCann case.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island's Harry accused of dumping stunning girl he was dating just days before cast reveal saying ‘I'm off to Bali'
LOVE Island star Harry Cooksley has been accused of dumping a stunning girl he was dating, just days before the cast reveal - and telling her he was 'off to Bali.' The midfielder, 30, is said to be Advertisement 5 Love Island star Harry Cooksley has been accused of dumping a stunning girl he was dating, just days before the cast reveal - and told her he was 'off to Bali" Credit: Instagram/@harrycooksley8 5 The midfielder, 30, is said to be to be known as the Surrey Zidane by fans of his side Credit: Instagram 5 Harry is hoping to find love on the new and upcoming series of Love Island Now the lad will be But right up until the moment Heartbroken by the revelation that he'd be starring on Love Island she called him a 'liar,' and explained that she thought he was flying out to Bali, not to the villa in Mallorca. She told The Sun: 'I was dating Harry until the moment he sat on the flight going to Love Island. Advertisement Read More on Love Island 'He told me he was going to Bali and I genuinely thought we had a future together, but no. He is a huge manipulator and I'm not the only girl he's done this too.' She continued to explain that other girls had spoken to her, claiming they, too, were dating Harry. She added: 'Turns out he was dating a few people at once.' She continued: 'He called me for three hours before he jetted off to Love Island, and told me he was going to Bali to build a life for our family. It's so scary how he lied to me, and I feel so broken. I've been completely blindsided by him. Advertisement Most read in Love Island Exclusive 'I also got a call from another girl after it came to light that he was going on the show, and she said he'd been dating her for seven months, at the same time that he was dating me. Ten Years of Love Island 'I was even planning on meeting him out in Bali, because it was such a secure conversation and he never ended what we had, despite knowing he was going on Love Island.' In a heartbreaking final revelation she added: 'I've never cried so much and felt so blindsided and lied to like this from another human being.' ITV has responded to the claims, saying: 'All of our Islanders are single and looking for love," when approached for comment. Advertisement Ahead of Harry's arrival on the hit show, a source said: 'Harry's got the full package - a great, athletic bod and great chat. 'Love Island's ladies love a footballer and The Surrey Zidane will be sure to impress as he plays away.' When asked if he has a claim to fame, the Guildford-native said: "I'm the body double for "So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. Advertisement "You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing." 5 The girl claims that other women have come forward saying that they were also dating Harry Credit: Instagram/@harrycooksley8 5 Harry is the body double for Declan Rice Credit: Instagram/@harrycooksley8
