By Emily Dennis, PA
Householders have clubbed together to buy a wood at nearly four times its market value to keep out travellers.
Around 100 residents paid £75,000 for the four-acre plot which would normally sell for around £20,000 after the owner put it up for auction.
Residents in Billericay, Essex, said they felt they had to act because they live only a few miles from an illegal camp from which travellers will be evicted on May 13 after a long legal battle.
Householders have bought £500 shares in a company, Linksland, which is now the registered owner of the site.
Retired publisher, Francis McCafferty, 85, who contributed £5,000, said: "We had heard the gypsies were going to move in, so that was it. We felt we had to act to keep the land safe for the future.
"We were very worried about what was going to happen and this has given us peace of mind. Now the land will be used for the community to enjoy."
Link to source
Householders have clubbed together to buy a wood at nearly four times its market value to keep out travellers.
Around 100 residents paid £75,000 for the four-acre plot which would normally sell for around £20,000 after the owner put it up for auction.
Residents in Billericay, Essex, said they felt they had to act because they live only a few miles from an illegal camp from which travellers will be evicted on May 13 after a long legal battle.
Householders have bought £500 shares in a company, Linksland, which is now the registered owner of the site.
Retired publisher, Francis McCafferty, 85, who contributed £5,000, said: "We had heard the gypsies were going to move in, so that was it. We felt we had to act to keep the land safe for the future.
"We were very worried about what was going to happen and this has given us peace of mind. Now the land will be used for the community to enjoy."
Link to source
