Unauthorised caravans, mobile homes and sheds have been removed from a blighted Meon Valley field in the escalation of a decade-long legal battle against its owner.

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) were left with “no choice” but to carry out “robust” enforcement action at the Long Road site in Soberton following years of dumping, fly-tipping and illegal development on the hillside plot.

Repeated warnings and formal notices – including a High Court injunction – to cease residential and recreational use of the land were consistently ignored, prompting the SDNPA and Winchester City Council to take major action.

Gas bottles, non-agricultural vehicles and piles of waste were among the many unauthorised and unlawful items removed by a specialist team during a three-day operation.

Much of the site has been cleared of debris with further enforcement work planned to allow regeneration of the agricultural site, which has been divided into plots.

The field near the corner of the B2150 Green Lane is in the middle of a rolling, beautiful landscape, and is highly visible when driving from Hambledon to Droxford.

Yet it’s become an eyesore and genuine scar on the landscape in recent years, being consistently plagued with fly-tipping and unsightly illegal development.

“We seek to negotiate where possible on enforcement terms, but our warnings and notices were consistently ignored,” said Tim Slaney, Director of Placemaking at the SDNPA.

“These unlawful activities were significantly harming the landscape and people’s enjoyment of it.

“I am pleased we’ve been able to work in partnership with WCC to achieve a successful outcome that will allow the land to recover.”

Cllr Jackie Porter, Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan at WCC, said she was pleased the council had played its part in the joint effort to protect the treasured landscape of the South Downs National Park.