Numerous travellers set up home on a field in Baildon tonight, prompting concerns from residents.

About 15 caravans, along with vans and cars, were on the Buck Lane site, off Otley Road, by 8.30pm, with some having started arriving from 6pm.

Children and dogs were also seen running round the site, which Bradford Council has controversially earmarked for a multi-million pound science and technology park.

Councillor Val Townend (Con, Baildon) said: “I think it is diabolical that they are trespassing on the land. I feel that they are treated differently to other people – they should be treated the same as we are.”

Coun Townend said she had received four phone calls from residents living near the site.

“Residents are just so concerned – and I can understand their concerns,” she said.

Coun Townend said she had reported the matter to the police and to Bradford Council, but added that the Council would not be able to deal with the matter until today.

She also criticised the council’s Gipsy Liaison Service, saying: “They work normal office hours, but there should be someone available 24/7 within the Council to sort these things out immediately.”

One worried resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It is a right mess. It’s like a small city already.

“I have lived here for years and I have never seen anything like it.”