A landowner threatened to invite a group of gypsies to a camp in a field opposite a quiet cul-de-sac unless residents backed his plans to sell his land to a developer.
Wayne Rushton told homeowners he would ‘invite some of his gypsy friends’ onto the site which he wants to be used to build new houses.
Bizarrely, in the same letter, Rushton also offered to bribe residents with a £250 bung if they supported the application for 12 properties.
Rushton posted the letter to all 32 houses on Pinel Close, in the village of Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, on January 22.
Wayne Rushton sent a ‘threatening letter’ to residents if they did not back his plans to sell his land (pictured) to developers
Residents on Pinel Close in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, (pictured) have spoken of their shock after receiving the letter
This is the letter that Mr Rushton sent to those living in the cul-de-sac and he warned: ‘We shall invite some o four gypsy friends’ to stay
In it, he said the one-acre green would be ‘left to grow into waste land’ and he and business partner David Haynes would ‘invite some of our gypsy friends’ to live there.
Locals were also told that the pair would ‘provide a new water supply for the gypsies’ and that the travellers could have the land ‘for as long as they wish to stay.’
The letter went on to state that anyone who photocopied and sent in their letters to the council supporting the plan would receive £250.
However, on January 30 another letter was circulated claiming the offer had been withdrawn because it could be ‘misconstrued as a bribe rather than compensation for loss of amenity space.’
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: ‘Initially, I was in a bit of disbelief that anyone in their right mind would even do that, and then I suppose I was upset really that someone has behaved like that.
‘Obviously it’s not what you expect to open when you open the post – that was the first contact we’ve ever had with these people.
‘You don’t normally play the threat card. I’m surprised anyone is stupid enough to behave like that.
‘When you have written evidence of a threat and blackmail and bribery all at once, it seems crackers.
These are the plansthat Mr Rushton wants to send to developers regarding his land near Pinel Close
Rushton posted the letter to all 32 houses on Pinel Close, in the village of Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, on January 22
‘It’s not very nice and we do all feel quite vulnerable and it’s a difficult decision as to whether do we try and raise the profile to help and push the police to do a bit more than they were originally.
‘It has had an impact which is great but it means we have to speak up and it makes everybody a bit more wary.
‘We don’t know who he is, we just know he is not a particularly nice person. So that doesn’t feel great.
‘Threatening to put gypsies on a green literally is in such close proximity to houses, it wasn’t a nice a threat obviously.
‘They will do things that aren’t particularly nice – they steal, they’re not clean and they don’t pay rates.
‘But also it would be of no benefit to him to put gypsies on there, it’s some sort of leverage to get planning but he can’t get planning on public open space regardless of how much support there is.
‘I don’t really know what he is playing at.
‘One of my neighbours phoned his partner, David Haynes, and said: ‘What on earth are you doing?’
‘She had a go at him and he denied all knowledge of the letter but then I texted him a nice message, that just said I notice you’ve bought the land without realising it was public open space.
‘I said that, in order to rectify it and not cost you any more money in maintenance fees and public liability insurance perhaps you could hand it back to the council or we could club together to get the land back.
‘He messaged back and said: ‘You have the wrong number.’
‘It’s a cul-de-sac we live on, with classic people – you have people with young families and elderly neighbours.
‘For both sets of people it’s obviously vulnerable if you have young children or are on your own with elderly neighbours.
‘It’s not the way that anyone with their right mind goes round and does.’
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘We are shocked about it. We are speaking to the police and the council.
‘We were aware back in November that the land was coming up for sale and we contemplated trying to purchase it ourselves to secure it as open space.
‘Albeit the council had said it was protected, it is always a fear it might get developed. I didn’t get kept on at work and was unable to get it.
‘I was aware it got purchased but hadn’t heard any more about it until I saw some people surveying the land, checking for utilities etc.
‘I quizzed them about it and they said they were asked to survey the land, if it was feasible.
Locals on the quiet street were also told that the pair would ‘provide a new water supply for the gypsies’
The letter went on to state that anyone who photocopied and sent in their letters to the council supporting the plan would receive £250
‘They didn’t think it would be. Out of the blue we got a letter which was a bit shocking at first.
‘We hadn’t even known there was plans being submitted or anything and obviously I contacted the council.
‘Just because of the menacing way it was written, we spoke to the police as well seeking guidance from them as to what we can do.
‘It’s caused quite a stir in the local community and obviously they have set up support groups to support each other through it while they decide what’s happening.
‘It’s a hope that spaces like that are protected and we are hoping there’s any way it could be purchased either from that individual or by the council just to secure it.
‘But we have to wait and see. I think the letter came through the post, it had a second class stamp on it.
‘Neighbours are worried, especially the older people living within the close, obviously it’s very upsetting for them.
‘It is a quiet part of the estate – to have more buildings overlooking etc., it’s the last thing they want.
‘I think everyone read it for what it was which was just menacing – the fact there aren’t any plans submitted and there was a subsequent letter saying the £250 is being withdrawn.’
Harborough District Council confirmed that it had yet to receive a planning application.
A spokesman said: ‘We take this matter very seriously and have written to the landowner in question stating that the letter he sent to residents is highly inappropriate and undermines the fundamental principles of the planning system.’
In a statement, Leicestershire Police, said: ‘The person who contacted police was given initial advice that no criminal offence had been committed.
‘Officers have since reviewed the report and will be re-contacting the person who made the report, with a view to discussing the matter further.’