LEGAL action is under way today to remove a group of travellers from a seafront development site.

The group of around seven caravans, plus assorted other vehicles, has set up camp on Felixstowe’s south seafront, which has planning permission for 127 new homes and a maritime park.

The �25 million-plus project on the 17-acre site is set to start later this year.

Residents said the families, including small children, moved in at the weekend.

“They have set up washing lines and seem quite at home. The men go off each day to presumably do work in the area,” said one resident.

“They probably won’t stay long. We used to have them on the land years ago and they would always go before the council managed to evict them.”

It is understood the group gained access to the land around the Martello Tower via a track at the end of Manor Road.

Several years ago after repeated problems with travellers, Suffolk Coastal put in height barriers and ditches at car parks and open spaces around the resort.

A Suffolk Coastal spokesman said: “We have started legal action to require them to leave the site and once it has been vacated the council’s cleansing partners Suffolk Coastal Services Ltd will of course clear up any left behind rubbish and waste.

“Clearly we are sorry for any inconvenience caused to local residents but they can be assured that we are doing all we can to get the situation resolved as quickly as possible and action will be taken to try and ensure there are no repeat incidents.”