RESIDENTS have been terrorised, cars set alight and a wildlife haven destroyed by fly-tipping, Transit van "races" and horse dung, according to parish councillors.
The situation has become so bad in Nutfield, the parish council has stepped in and vowed to take action.
Members say the common land in question, an area off Nutfield Marsh Road, is being used by "self-styled travellers" and being destroyed in the process. While horse grazing on the land is not illegal, cars are allegedly being driven on to the site, tearing it up.
One neighbour, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, said: "Why do they think it is OK to use this land and destroy it? I am absolutely sick to the back teeth with it. It is not right that public land can be treated in this way. It is disgusting. It is for everyone. A beautiful area has been destroyed.
"There is no way of proving who was responsible, but there was a van torched a while ago after an argument. There have been so many arguments and if you try and stand up for yourself then you will be punished."
In a statement, Nutfield Parish Council members said they were fed up with "intrusion into the rural landscape of the illegal over-grazing of horses by self-styled travellers, horse dealers and others".
After complaints from residents, the councillors have said they will stand their ground and are trying to buy the marsh land.
Members have concerns over vans being driven onto the marsh to feed the horses, reckless driving in the area, horse and trap racing, litter, fly-tipping, horse dung and intimidation of residents.
The council's statement continued: "Residents have been terrorised, their cars set alight and a once beautiful landscape and wildlife haven – this is also a great crested newt habitat, an EU endangered species – has been reduced to little more than wasteland by fly-tipping, Transit van races and horse dung.
"We have spent the last two years seeking to obtain title to the common land, but frustrated by the glacial progress of the solicitors from various Whitehall departments, and still await the opportunity to purchase the land and take control of the situation."
Councillors added that they felt "completely on their own" when trying to tackle the problem, but police have said they monitor the area regularly.
Surrey Police spokeswoman Dawn Groom said: "We regularly monitor the area surrounding the marsh with help from other units at Surrey Police including the roads policing units. Although it is common land which anyone can use to graze their animals there have been reports of vehicles driving on the land which is prohibited and we continue to monitor the situation.
"I would encourage anyone who has concerns surrounding anti-social behaviour in the area to contact officers at the Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team who would be happy to address these."
