AN investigation has been launched following claims a traveller site has tripled in size.

Residents claim complaints have been ignored for two years as more caravans and hard standings are set up at Sadlers Farm.

Parish councillor Bernard Foster said: “This is something we have all been aware of for a very long time.

“I believe Basildon Council agreed for four residential caravans to be on the site, which has recently expanded to occupy a larger significant area of probably double or even triple the amount allowed. “It is well over the limit.

“We have been informing Basildon Council on a regular basis and have been getting complaints from residents literally several times every week.

“The number goes up and down as travellers come in and go out, but there are more residential caravans there than there has ever been.

“It’s impacting everyone at all levels. It’s also very difficult for the traveller community, most of them are nice hard working people.

A 54-year-old resident from Benfleet revealed: “I complained two or three years ago, when they started putting tow caravans on the site. I informed Basildon Council who told me they weren’t supposed to be there and that they would deal with it.

“Last week I saw a low loader taking more permanent residential caravans onto the site.

“They are expanding onto the land and becoming a bigger camp, so I contacted Basildon Council again.

Parish councillor Terence Potter said: “We wrote to the enforcement team at Basildon Council who said they are looking into it with urgency.

“It is one side of the site that is illegal, which is the left. We contacted the council two years ago about it, since then the enforcement team has changed.

“Over the past couple of years we have received numerous complaints.”

Concerns include claims about increased vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “Basildon Council is aware of a suspected planning breach at the site and is currently investigating this before deciding whether it is appropriate to take enforcement action.”

The Countywide Traveller Unit for Essex County Council has been informed but claimed it is a district council matter due to the land being privately rather than publicly owned.