Police have maintained a presence at a field in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, after residents confronted travellers who moved onto the wildlife site and began construction work over the August bank holiday weekend. Hundreds of angry locals camped overnight on the land near Rod Stewart's Durrington House estate to halt the works, and their protest succeeded on 31 August when those carrying out the development left following a visit from police and council officials. The case has drawn political attention, with the local MP calling for stronger legal powers for councils to tackle such unauthorised development quickly.

East Hertfordshire District Council issued a Temporary Stop Notice on 29 August and secured a High Court injunction after heavy machinery, diggers and fencing appeared on the greenbelt land, which has no planning permission for development and is home to muntjac deer. Aerial images showed a concrete base laid and the site divided into five plots, with caravans present despite the injunction, though police said no arrests were needed as those without authorisation left peacefully. Officers and equipment, including four diggers, remain on site pending a court hearing scheduled for 15 September, with the council seeking an earlier date given ongoing concerns.