Villagers have called for urgent action to be taken against an unauthorised travellers site of up to 50 caravans.
People living in Hillam near Sherburn in Elmet said the caravans had arrived on land off Betteras Hill Road a week ago, and hardcore, fences and septic tanks had been installed.
North Yorkshire Council said it had served a temporary stop notice on any work on the site and was investigating “further enforcement options”.
Hillam Parish Council said the notice had been breached and urged the local authority to take action.
Betteras Hill Road is a single-track lane surrounded by fields and a small number of homes, and connects the village to the A162.
One resident who wanted to remain anonymous said the scale of the site had caused “considerable concern” after being made aware that the land had been sold for horse grazing.
He said that, just before 17:00 BST last Friday, he watched as trucks, diggers and cars entered the field.
He said: “By Monday there was 20-plus caravans there and over 40 men working there.”
