A large crowd of residents voiced fears over health and safety at a travellers' site in Newent.

More than 150 residents met with officers from the Forest of Dean District Council to raise concerns after travellers started unauthorised building over the Bank Holiday weekend at a site in Southend Lane.

The newly-formed campaign group Southend Lane Action Movement (Slam) was also at the meeting and argued the council should have taken action to remove them from the land when bleach was apparently poured on the site.

A Southend Lane resident said: "Before the caravans moved in bleach was poured all over the field. We contacted the council and I don't know why it didn't trigger something in their brain to realise what was happening.

"We think it was sodium hydrochloride. Surely that is a health and safety issue and should have been looked at."

The travellers have created 13 pitches, laid a hard surface and installed toilets and a cesspit at the site, which residents fear will bring further health and safety problems.

A Culver Street resident said: "There are lots of environmental issues involved. We have recently had a septic tank put in and we had to get approval from the Environment Agency.

"I am concerned about the health and safety issues too because the septic tank or a cesspit would need building regulations and they haven't had any kind of checks, which isn't safe. It is a real health hazard.

"Children are on the site and in nearby houses and it needs to be made safe for everyone."

Residents were also worried about flooding issues which may result from more development in the town.

Another Southend Lane resident, said: "There is still inches of standing water in the road, which could be coming from the septic tank and it is alarmingly close to houses. The water should be tested to check it is safe.

"With more rain coming we could face more flooding problems because of this too."

The council has issued a stop notice and an enforcement notice.

The original enforcement notice, which was served on May 29 was withdrawn and re-issued with amendments on June 2, which means that the travellers have until July 2 to appeal.

However, because the land is owned by the travellers the council has received a retrospective planning application from them which is currently invalid, but they expect them to re-send it which could then drag the process out for months or even years.

Peter Williams, group manager of planning and housing, said: "The building issue is something we are looking at and we will investigate the environmental aspect.

"The planning process is going to take months, we can't get away from that and if it goes to a public enquiry it will be longer."

Slam has issued 2,500 leaflets to Newent residents asking them to contact the council or their MP.