HAMPSHIRE County Council (HCC) has admitted it “hasn’t kept pace” with a site of special scientific interest which has become “disgracefully damaged” by cars according to residents.

Residents have contacted The Gazette to voice their anger over cars, lorries and people fly-tipping on a piece of land at Potbridge, in Odiham.

The site, which is an area of land and water that is considered to best represent our natural heritage, has become blighted with old, unused vehicles as well as debris.

In videos seen by The Gazette, it appears some of the disused motors come from vehicle disposing firm Christopher Ball and Son.

When contacted by this newspaper the Reading based firm did not comment on the story.

A spokesperson for HCC reassured residents that it would “play a full part in helping bring about a swift and lasting resolution” to the problem.

The spokesperson said: “We fully recognise the impact that this issue is having on the local area – and that our response hasn’t kept pace with the issue.

“This is a complex situation which falls across a number of areas of responsibility affecting different agencies.”

Residents told The Gazette it has seen the company fell mature oak trees on the land and that there was also an “overflowing” scrapyard with “derelict large lorries, dust carts and fire engines” on the site.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The company keeps up to 21 of these vehicles on the road outside his premises and on the public footpath which is inaccessible now to the public.

“His vehicles are a danger to pedestrians and horse riders and there have been several near accidents. HDC is trying to curtail his activities by legal means but it is very slow. Meanwhile the destruction of our quiet hamlet continues.”