Eco villagers living in woodland in Englefield Green are claiming victory after a court ruling that could allow them to remain until after the Magna Carta anniversary celebrations.

Runnymede Eco-Village, has been home to a collection of individuals and families who started building a community of wooden structures in 2012.

It was once the Brunel University Runnymede Campus. But the inhabitants have been issued with an eviction notice by landowners Orchid Runnymede.

Orchid have planning permission to demolish the former university campus and build a collection of care homes, student accommodation units, private homes and affordable housing near the Eco-Village.

However, at a hearing yesterday (Thursday) at Guildford County Court, District Judge Kubiak granted an adjournment after representatives for the landowners asked for an order for possession of the land, on the grounds of trespassing.

Adjourning the case for the villagers to serve their defence, Judge Kubiak said: It appears to me that there is some arrangement in place in some shape or form to occupy this land.

They now have until April 24 to put a defence together, ahead of the next hearing, expected in May.

Speaking afterwards, Peter Phoenix, who has lived in sustainable communities, with squatters and eco-villagers for 20 years, said he hoped it would raise awareness of the need for land for similar communities to live on.

That was a major victory, he said. The law is stacked in favour of the landowner.

Maybe people want to offer some bits of land for people to live on.

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Victory for eco warriors as court hearing allows them to remain in Englefield Green woodland