22 April 2023 , 14:23
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A man who took over a patch of abandoned land hoping to live there until he can claim it as his own has said his neighbouring farmer dumped rotting silage bales to deter him.
Neil Parker, a self-confessed "land pirate", moved his caravan onto a small patch of rough land that he says has been neglected for a long time, with "no evidence of activity for decades".
The man, in his 60s, said he has done a lot of research to identify the site on the A487 near Tremain in Ceredigion, Wales, as being available, Wales Online reports.
He added he is entitled to take Adverse Possession - a legal concept meaning that a person who does not have legal title to land and who did not buy it becomes its legal owner.
Mr Parker said his neighbouring farmer is not happy (WalesOnline)The law applies when a person possesses a piece of unused land for a long enough period to override the interests of the original owner, according to Property Investments UK.
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But Mr Parker, who previously worked in health services, said the neighbouring farmer claimed he owned the land asked him to leave immediately.
The man said he asked for proof of ownership but did not receive it, so he continued living on the site for nearly a year, until the farmer took a "more direct, heavy handed approach" and removed Mr Parker's caravan, car and other property.
Mr Parker alleges criminal damage was caused and the farmer also blocked his access by dumping 20 bales of rotten silage in the entrance.
It took a whole week for Mr Parker to clear the bales only for the farmer to turn up and dump some more over the fence. Dyfed-Powys Police said it had received a report of theft in the Tremain area on April 6. A spokesman for the force said enquiries are "ongoing".
He said he won't move unless the farmer shows proof of ownership (WalesOnline)Mr Parker said it seemed "remarkable" that the police hadn't taken any action for what he says is "criminal damage and aggravated trespass".
Talking about Adverse Possession, Mr Parker explained: "I entered the site, having done extensive research including the land registry which showed all the surrounding properties were registered as normal, but this plot, for whatever reason was not.
"Not only was there no evidence of use, but the plot contained one of the worst infestations of Japanese Knotweed I have ever seen.
"You basically have to put yourself on a piece of land and there are various criteria you have to meet according to the Land Registry.
"You have to stay on the land for 12 years before you can claim it and you have to use it, you have to secure it, you have to show that you're acting to possess it.
"The point is if you take adverse possession of a piece of land, the only person who can dislodge you is the genuine owner, somebody who has legal ownership as proved by title deeds."
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Mr Parker said the farmer dumped rotting silage bales to deter him (WalesOnline)He added that he does not intend to leave unless the farmer can show proof of ownership, as he said: "It would seem that in the absence of evidence, they seem to think that force and bullying will achieve the desired result."
Planning laws mean he cannot stay there all the time but he is allowed to stay for 28 days in a calendar year. When he is not at the site, he has a house near the coastal town of Aberaeron.
Mr Parker has brought a mini tractor on site to try and clear the dense overgrowth and set about planting trees.
He has also used a dilapidated building to store some of his possessions so that he can "demonstrate his usage of it".
He accused his neighbour of "bullying tactics" and vowed to remain on the site, adding: "I'm going to stay here. As far as I'm concerned this is bullying tactics.
"If the farmer had a legal claim on the land, he could easily get me off. I'm not there to cause trouble, I'm there to make a reasonable claim."
Mr Parker said the site was last used for pigs back in the 1970s but since then it had been left neglected and abandoned.
He also claimed the farmer told him that they had never bothered to register the land because it had no value to them.