A farmer whose family have tended a parcel of land for more than 300 years says he will defy an eviction order issued by their landlord, Bolton council.
David Yates and his wife Karen have been given a legal notice to leave 11-acre Earls Farm on Stitch Mi Lane in Harwood by the end of April. But the couple, who run an 84-animal cattery from the farm, say they have no intention of moving out.
Instead, they are proceeding with an 'adverse possession order' which they believe entitles them to take ownership of the property because they have been squatting on the land for more than 12 years. Adverse possession is also known as 'squatters' rights' and is based on an ancient philosophy requiring owners of land to actually make productive use of it.
