TRAVELLERS have set up camp on playing fields earmarked for an £870,000 sports development on the outskirts of York.

Steve Mattingley at the site occupied by the travellers on the outskirts of York Picture: David Harrison

The move has sparked fears that the work may have to be put on hold.

Work is due to start on Monday to transform Hopgrove Playing Fields off Malton Road, between the A64 and the Monks Cross roundabouts, for use by clubs, schools and local people.

The chairman of the playing fields association, Steve Mattingley, said: "I think a lot of people will be very angry that this has happened. We were intending to start work on the changing rooms and the all-weather pitch on Monday, but it looks like we won't be able to do that now.

"The changing rooms and all-weather pitch were expected to be ready for use by September, but if the building work gets delayed we don't know when it will be finished."

However, one caravan owner, Sean Price, said today: "We are moving on later today. We would like to stay but we can't stand all the aggro we are getting from the developers.

"I think we'll make our way back to Oldham after all this.

"We need somewhere to stay and we don't cause any trouble, but what can you do?"

The playing fields scheme won the backing of a £570,000 Lottery Sports Fund grant, with extra funding from generous donations from local bodies and City of York Council.

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