Less than a fortnight after hundreds of travellers finally vacated a public park they had occupied for three weeks, Sutton Council is fighting to evict another group from open land set to be developed.

Caravans appeared in Corbet Close, Hackbridge earlier this week and have set up camp around a set of empty flats.

Sutton Council has issued a leave notice to the group, who were told to move on by 10am today.

Two weeks ago, July 8, a group of travellers numbering more than 300, left Roundshaw Open Space, but not before they had caused permanent damage to security features at the site and left piles of waste.

The clear-up process, conducted by Sutton Council, is expected to cost about £25,000.

Following the incident Sutton Council, supported by MP Tom BRake, is considering lobby the Government for greater powers to evict illegal encampments.

Mr Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said: "The travellers have caused significant disruption in the local area and show a blatant disregard for public and private space. I commend the swift action of the Sutton council officers and police in dealing with this matter."

A spokesman for Sutton Council said: "We have been working to ensure they are moved on as quickly as possible while meeting our safeguarding, welfare and legal obligations.

"We understand how frustrating these incidents can be for residents, which is why we always make full use of our powers to remove illegally camped groups like this as quickly as we can."

By law, councils have a responsibility to visit newly arrived travellers to ensure that any children are in education and there are no safeguarding issues.

Councillor Jill Whitehead, chairwoman of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Committee at Sutton Council, said: "While we do not yet know the final cost of clearing up Roundshaw Park, we do know that the clear-up is costing the council at least £25,000. We have incurred substantial costs, including the placing of 24-hour security on the site and the huge clear-up of fly-tipping and weeks of rubbish littering the parkland.

"We don't yet know what the final tonnage of waste left in the park is, but there were a number of large lorry-loads of fly-tipping and general rubbish.

"The travellers gained access to the park through the gates after breaking several robust high-security locks. We need these gates in order to service the park site and ensure access to council vehicles and the emergency services.

"All the gate locks have been replaced and we are looking to see if there are any other security measures we can bring in."