Bailiffs will be bought in to oust squatters at a former old people's home if they don't go voluntarily, writes Karen Rosine.

About 30 squatters at Cutteslowe Court in north Oxford were given eviction notices after a hearing at Oxford County Court last month.

But the squatters vowed they would appeal and would not move out. The county council owns the building and took the squatters to court to get them out while development plans for the site go through.

Property officer Barry Shepherd said: "The court has said it is our building and we should have it back and the bailiffs are instructed to achieve this end. "We don't want it to come to that. They have been given a month to prepare themselves."

Cutteslowe Court in Wyatt Road closed more than a year ago after falling victim to spending cuts.

The council wants to demolish the building and replace it with a block of 31 flats.

The city council has deferred planning permission because it wants to preserve accommodation for the elderly in the area.

The application has gone to appeal.

Story date: Wednesday 12 May

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