'My family have been here for 300 years, I'm not leaving now' - Farmer faces eviction in 'squatters rights' row
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA 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. READ MORE: Tom Parker's wife Kelsey and The Wanted bandmates lead mourners at singer's funeral David, 65, took over the tenancy of the farm in 1995 following the death of his father William Yates.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk