Police are on site and work has stopped at a wildlife spot after a High Court injunction was imposed to stop unauthorised construction and caravans being brought on to the site.
The injunction was issued at 22:30 BST on Saturday to prevent work at a field off Sheering Mill Lane in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, but diggers were seen being used on Sunday and Monday morning.
However, about a dozen police officers entered the site shortly before 09:00 BST and videos and pictures show vehicles leaving the field.
Hundreds of residents protested against the work, with some staying overnight into Monday.
Hertfordshire Police has been contacted for comment.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said officers entered the site at about 09:00 BST.
Protesters clapped and cheered as the first vans and diggers left the site at about 09:30.
East Hertfordshire District Council staff first became aware of the digging, which did not have planning permission, on Saturday morning.
The injunction temporarily blocked further development on the land, bringing caravans on-site, as well as banning anyone occupying the plot.
Residents have said the site was often visited by muntjac deer and had a rich ecosystem.
A High Court hearing has been scheduled for 15 September, the council said. It added that it was “doing everything possible to secure an earlier court date”.
On Sunday, Hertfordshire Police said it was “aware of a dispute over the use” of the field.
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