A “LAX” attitude towards illegal traveller sites will encourage more groups to the area, it is feared.

The Echo told last week how travellers who set up camp in Rushley Park, Basildon, charged people £30 to dump rubbish on the land.

There are also ongoing legal battles between Basildon Council and travellers who have built two unauthorised camps in Hovefield Avenue, Wickford.

The Tories - who were ousted from power earlier this year after Labour, Ukip and independent councillors joined forces - have expressed concerns about what they see as a lack of action over the encampments.

They have hit out at the administration for not appealing a court ruling giving travellers permission to stay at one of the Hovefield sites - which is being expanded without permission - temporarily.

Councillor Andrew Schrader, Conservative spokesman for regeneration and environment, said: “The coalition has turned its back on residents, signalling a softening in the council’s long-held approach in dealing with such illegal incursions in Basildon.

“Under the Conservatives, Basildon Council had a reputation for dealing robustly with illegal encampments.

“My concern now is that once word of the Coalition’s lax approach gets out, it will spread like wildfire and then it will be open season on Basildon.”

Tory group leader, Phil Turner, added: “For years a Conservative administration has stood strong against all kinds of incursions but in the blink of an eye Ukip, Labour and the Wickford Independents have thrown all this away.

“While I expected it of the other parties, I thought as Dale Farm II was taking place in Wickford, the Wickford Independents might be hot on the case. Unfortunately, they are just as bad as the others.”

David Harrison, leader of the Wickford Independents, said the council is taking all the action necessary. He added: “We are actually following the procedure set down by Mr Turner.

“The permission has only been given for the travellers to remain on the site temporarily - it is not permanent permission and only lasts until the next court hearing on July 26.”

A meeting has been held with Conservative councillor Chris Jackman and council officers to update members on the situation.

Mr Harrison said: “The people who live on that road are struggling and we are trying to help them. This shouldn’t be made a political issue, which is what Mr Turner is doing.”