A traveller group has been ordered to stop removing tons of earth from a hillside in the Welsh valleys.
Blaenau Gwent council served a notice to the group on April 5 after residents complained that the work may pose a danger to the community.
They claimed that the travellers’ use of heavy machinery could cause a landslip.
It is thought that the group started removing the earth from a sloping field on Porters Road in Nantyglo, south Wales, on March 27.
Stop notices are served by local authorities when there are concerns about a breach of planning rules.
The notice will be in place for 28 days and the local authority said that it was “considering options for when it expires”.
A Blaenau Gwent council spokesman told BBC: “We consider that there has been a breach of planning control by the unauthorised excavation of this land.
“This includes importation of material, creation of embankments and re-profiling of the area.
“The notice requires that the activity specified is stopped with immediate effect.”
There are thought to be six caravans and one motorhome on the site.
The council said that it had commissioned independent experts to assess the stability of the land but had concluded there was no immediate risk to properties in the area.
Nearly 900 people have signed a petition calling for an end to the “unauthorised occupation” of the land.
In a statement on the page, Jasmin Bell said: “This issue is not merely a question of legality; it directly impacts our lives, devalues our properties and infringes on our privacy.”
She went on to say that the “encroachment” could decrease the value of their properties by up to 20 per cent.
Ms Bell added: “This situation is not only financially damaging but also emotionally distressing as we feel that our right to privacy is being violated.
“We believe that everyone has the right to live peacefully without fear of unlawful encroachments on their property or invasion of their privacy.”
She called on local authorities to act immediately.
‘Council must act now’
Angela Hathaway commented on the petition: “Why should people ride roughshod over planning regulation? If and when that land slips it will be the taxpayer picking up the tab.
“The council must act now and stop these unauthorised land works.”
Jamie Nicholson said: “This is not just morally wrong but the risk of road collapse due to close excavation is massively increased.
“This is a very busy road they are digging alongside.”
The settlers have created a GoFundMe page asking for help.
Luke Salathiel wrote: “Our family and kids need somewhere to live to raise our family. The council is not providing us with the right needs so we are doing our own property up which we are entitled to do.
“We are sick of living in need.”
Gwent Police was contacted for comment.
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