[kraken] Engeland: eigendom na 12 jaar gekraakt

Auteur: Hans Speelman <hanssaloon@gmx.net>
Datum: 24 mei 2007 12:03 uur

Squatter wins £2m London plot after 18-year stay
By Emily Dugan
Published: 24 May 2007

For most people a property on Hampstead Heath would be many mortgages or lottery tickets away, but a squatter has been granted the rights to a plot of land worth £2m for nothing.

Harry Hallowes, who has lived in a shack on the corner of the heath in north London for more than 18 years, has been given deeds to the thicket he calls home. Mr Hallowes, who says he "never had any trade or profession", had been squatting in the grounds of Athlone House nursing home, but when the land was bought by developers he feared he would be evicted.

But now an agreement made under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act has ensured that he will be there for life. Mr Hallowes' lawyer, Morris Evans, said: "Mr Hallowes is now officially the owner of the plot. Until recently the law said that if you occupied land for 12 years or more without being thrown out, then you were entitled to own it."

The developer, Dwyer Asset Management, which bought the Victorian nursing home and its grounds from the NHS to create 22 new apartments, had already decided to give back a hectare of land to the heath as a buffer.

Farlane Harris, director of Dwyer, described Mr Hallowes as "a very nice chap", and said they would have no problem with him living so close to the new development. "We're happy for him," Mr Harris continued, "It's only a small part of the land we allocated, and as far as we're concerned it's not an issue at all. The only problem will be for the public, who will have less land they can use on the heath."

The remaining hectare of buffer land will become a nature reserve, but the future of Mr Hallowes' land is more uncertain. His ownership could prove a threat to the naturally rich environment he has inherited.

He already has plans for mains water, a permanent house and a lawn. He believes permission would only be subject to "the same conditions as any property", and says: "I will probably build a garden shed first, and then see if I have enough money for more. If I have my way this will be a lawn next year."

This is worrying news for the Heath and Hampstead Society's chairman, Tony Hillier. He said: "The shacks have been there for a long time, and we've got no objections as long as he doesn't want to build. If he tried to build on it though, there would be strong objections."

Mr Hallowes doesn't have any ambition to make money from the land: "I could sell it now, but I wouldn't because of its unique position. I can't think of anywhere in London that's more desirable. Now it's only a matter of improving the accommodation."

There is a lot to do. Assorted dustbins, bottles and metal scrap adorn his fenced off "garden", while his house consists of little more than a wooden lean-to with a tarpaulin roof.

Mr Hallowes' days are simple, and consist of little more than chopping wood, cooking on a small gas stove and collecting water from the outdoor taps of nearby friends. The 71-year-old says there is nothing new about the way he lives.

"People say I'm a celebrity, and I say 'What for'? I just want to carry on as I am. I'll be very lucky if I live here for the rest of my life."

Advertiser Links...

ISA | Medical Insurance | Home Insurance | Credit Cards |

Looking to transfer your pension?
Boost your pension fund. If you have a min of £20,000 in an existing pension app...
www.cus4pensiontransfer.co.uk

Www.thorntonhallhotel.com
Thornton hall classic hotel, set in 7 acres of gardens with 63 bedrooms and 11 c...
www.thorntonhallhotel.com

English Country Cottages
www.english-country-cottages.co.uk
Also in this section

    * Ex-wife wins legal battle for £48m divorce payment
    * Islanders evicted for US base finally win right to return home
    * Chagos islanders win legal battle to return home
    * Legal Opinion: An over-complex privacy law may trigger new legislation
    * 'Unfair' bank charges left me penniless, barrister tells court

    * Printable version
    * Email newsletter
    * RSS Feeds
    * Scale fonts
    * A
    * A
    * A

Click here to find out more!
Editor's Choice
Robert Fisk

Innocents caught up in a war of endless revenge
After Liberia's war

'Sometimes you wonder if peace is worthwhile'
'Language of tomorrow'

UK schools import China's teachers for Mandarin lessons
Jamie's dinners

Celebrity chef's meals for pupils get the thumbs down
Johann Hari

Distraught parents and terrified children
Ask David Willetts

Your questions for Shadow Education Secretary
Dickens World

Not-so-great expectations
Independent services

Independent Offers
A-Z site map
Indy 100 prices
MORE: Travel podcasts
SAVE: Travel offers
FREE: Email headlines

Blogs | Gadgetcast | Dating | Gaming | Photos | Utilities deals | Media pack
Day in a page

    * Sun |
    * Mon |
    * Tue |
    * Wed |
    * Thu |
    * Fri |
    * Sat |

Find articles published on:
Top stories

Search this site: Independent.co.uk
The Web
Click here...
Click here...
Click here to find out more!
Click here...
Click here...

    * Terms of Use |
    * Privacy Policy |
    * Privacy Policy |
    * Corrections |
    * Sign up for our free daily news update |
    * Freelance contributions |
    * RSS Feeds |
    * Work for INM |
    * Contact us |
    * LondonCareers.net |

© 2007 Independent News and Media Limited

-- 
GMX FreeMail: 1 GB Postfach, 5 E-Mail-Adressen, 10 Free SMS.
Alle Infos und kostenlose Anmeldung: http://www.gmx.net/de/go/freemail
--------------------------------------------------------------
 Afmelden, e-mail: kraken-post-unsubscribe@dvxs.nl
 Opnieuw aanmelden: kraken-post-subscribe@dvxs.nl
 Online Archief: http://www.krakenpost.nl/archief
 [24 May 12:00u]: 257 abonnees + 416 niet-abonnees
--------------------------------------------------------------
 

ontvangsttijd Thu May 24 10:03:53 2007