Squatters in London send message to Russian oligarchs
Former nurse Neil Parker, who describes himself as a ‘land pirate’, says someone moved his car and caravan, and blocked access with bales of stinking silage.
He moved onto the abandoned farm because it was derelict, the Mirror reports.
But in the 12 months he has been staying there, locals in Ceredigion, Wales, have locked horns with him.
A local farming family has even staked a claim on his new home.
It has escalated, with Mr Parker accusing one local of moving his car, caravan and other property.
The squatter, who is in his 60s, also says they have blocked access to his home with 20 bales of raw silage.
However, the owner of a nearby farm has told the Cambrian News that Mr Parker had caused “misery” for her and the village.
And one local has insisted the land was left to them by their grandfather.
Mr Parker insists he is staying put: “My position is very clear: if they have no proof of ownership, then I don’t intend to leave.
“Their interest in this land only seems to have been sparked by my presence.
“In the absence of evidence, they seem to think that force and bullying will achieve the desired result.”
Don’t miss…
Searches for homes for sale near Clarkson’s Farm[LATEST]
Farmer has ‘no regrets’ over killing burglar but wants to clear name[LATEST]
Jeremy Clarkson reprimanded by teacher after discovering gang on farm[LATEST]
Mr Parker claims he has been intimidated by villagers, with horns being sounded by cars and people filming him and shouting abuse as he works the land.
He says he had a year of being “essentially undisturbed” until a local farmer tried to evict him.
Mr Parker said: “Without any warning, he removed a caravan, car and other property — causing criminal damage, and blocked any access with 20 bales of rotten silage.
“The farmer would get irritable very quickly and was obviously very unhappy – and to be fair they think they’re being deprived of something, so it’s not unreasonable.”
According to the Land Registration Act 2002, an unlisted site can fall into someone’s possession after 12 years if they can demonstrate they are present and working on the land.
A member of the family claiming the farm is theirs says she is in the process of registering the land and slammed delays at the Land Registry.
She said: “We are extremely disappointed that this individual has inflicted so much unnecessary stress on us as a family, when we are the lawful owners of the land.
“The land was inherited to me from my grandfather and has been part of our family for generations.”
Source: Read Full Article