A family has been fined for bringing a fifth caravan onto a Liphook field and for flouting planning rules.

The Connors, Felix, Ned and Michael, attracted the attention of East Hampshire District Council planners when they brought four caravans on to land at Devil’s Lane despite not having planning permission.

In February 2015, to prevent any more development of the site, the council issued a Temporary Stop Notice – which meant it would be a criminal offence to break any further planning rules.

However, on 12 March the family brought a fifth caravan on to the site without permission, breaching the Temporary Stop Notice.

Their case was brought to Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on October 15 where they were ordered to pay fines and costs amounting to £500 each. They did not attend the hearing and magistrates passed the sentenced in their absence.

An EHDC spokesman said: “The council has a responsibility to uphold and enforce planning regulations to protect our countryside and our towns from unauthorised development.

“This was a serious breach of a Temporary Stop Notice, and it was in the public interest to prosecute those responsible and to send out a clear message to others that may consider flouting planning law that the council will not tolerate such action.”