Travellers have moved onto land in north Greenwich earmarked for a new Ikea.

The privately owned site in the Millennium Retail Park on Bugsbys Way used to be home to a Sainsbury's which was demolished earlier this year, leaving a near-empty piece of land.

Despite the gated fence, travellers pitched up around a dozen caravans earlier this week.

News Shopper:

Travellers have pitched up on the former Sainsbury's site. (c.) @BenedictAshton.

After the demise of the so-called "eco Sainsbury's", Ikea was granted outline planning permission for its store in 2014.

The demolition phase was completed in April this year, and the Swedish homewares store plans to submit a final planning application in the autumn.

But plans for the megastore have sparked concerns over an increase in traffic congestion on the peninsula, and the knock-on effect on pollution.

An IKEA spokeswoman said: “We are aware that a travelling community have set up their mobile homes on the site of our planned Greenwich store earlier this week.

"We have commenced a legal procedure to move the travellers on from the site as quickly as we can as it’s not a suitable location for anyone to live in.

"Local police will continue to support with the situation until a court order is issued.”