A dispute is underway over measures taken to stop travellers moving onto a piece of land once earmarked for a new football stadium.

Wycombe District Council has ordered landowners North West Estates (NWE) to remove earth walls build around the patch of land at Westhorpe Park, near Marlow.

Plans to build a new shared ground for Marlow FC and Flackwell Heath FC on the green belt site were turned down on appeal in 2010.

The council says the bunds – built to keep travellers out after several breaches in the last few years – are harmful to the Green Belt and have an “unacceptable impact upon the Land and the area".

But owners have appealed the decision and say the measures are excessive, insisting the walls do not harm the area and are vital to keep the land from being overrun by travellers.

In its appeal statement, NWE said: “A further three incursions by travellers have been made during 2014 by the gates being forced. The perimeter bunds have been effective in preventing trespass.

“They continue to meet a need to keep travellers from breaking into and occupying the site.

“The unauthorised occupation of the site by travellers has a severe impact on the character and appearance of the Green Belt, and also on the amenities of local residents.

NWE said it built the earth walls out of “despair” after an incident in 2012 when a number of caravans, lorries and other vehicles occupied the site.

And the developer said the land is particularly vulnerable to trespassers as it is adjacent to the A4155 between Marlow and Bourne End.

NWE did apply for planning permission to build the walls before Buckinghamshire County Council became involved and the application was suspended.

And now WDC has ordered the owners to take down the walls, saying they are “not considered to preserve the openness of the green belt”.

And the council say the “incongruous landscape feature” is harmful to residents and visitors and would hamper the progress on a long-mooted country park on the site.

The hearing will take place tomorrow from 2pm at the Hub, Easton Street, High Wycombe