SQUATTERS will be thrown off scrubland in Wheatley after the landowner went to court to repossess the land.

Oxford County Court heard that the parcel of land north east of Roman Road had 'potentially' been occupied since at least May 2020. Satellite images from this year show at least one caravan and two cars by a dirt track on the greenfield site.

An agent for landowners Watali UK Limited, John Ingram, visited the land on October 5 to serve a notice of claimed possession.

He spoke to a man, named in court as Ollie Joy, and informed him of the hearing. Paperwork about the claim and the impending court hearing was left on a table outside the caravan, Deputy District Judge Toby Wright was told.

The squatters were also given information produced by HM Courts and Tribunal Service about obtaining legal advice, including from the Citizens Advice Bureau and other advice organisations.

Despite the paperwork being served, neither Mr Joy nor any of the ‘persons unknown’ identified in court papers attended Thursday morning’s hearing.

Rachel Bale, representing Watali, confirmed her client owned the land and said  ‘planning permission would be sought’.

The deputy district judge endorsed the warrant for possession. He ordered that the absent Mr Joy pay £432 in costs within 14 days of the hearing.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward