A small village in Cornwall is currently embroiled in a debate over two squatters who have taken up residence on an abandoned estate, claiming they serve as unofficial security by keeping ponies and Rottweilers.
Victoria Morrall, 39, and David Antram, 61, moved from their caravan several months ago into a development of 10 homes that have remained vacant for nearly ten years.
Their presence has sparked controversy in the tranquil village of St Erth, with locals demanding their eviction, citing that the couple has created an atmosphere of intimidation.
Images of the neglected estate reveal that Ms. Morrall and Mr. Antram, who occupy the ground floor of one of the homes, have converted another house into a makeshift stable for their ponies, with manure scattered throughout the area.
Local authorities have stated that they are collaborating with the landowner to facilitate the removal of the couple from the site.
Ms. Morrall explains that she and Mr. Antram live off-grid in a property lacking essentials such as electricity, copper, and plumbing.
She said: ‘We basically just live in the downstairs. There is a room seven by four metres.
‘There is a front room, kitchen and a bedroom area. We cope – as we were living in a caravan for six years – so this is a bit of a step up.’
Victoria Morrall and David Antram (pictured together) live in a development of 10 homes that have been empty for almost a decade with two ponies and two rottweilers
After planning for the ten properties was approved in 2015, building work began – but the houses have never been inhabited
The estate is now fenced off and has become overgrown and unkempt in what locals have branded a ‘blot on the village’ of St Erth
She said they have faced abuse from the public for their living circumstances and have had the police called out to them on numerous occasions.
One such occurrence included when the pair were arrested over firearms and trespass allegations. They were later released without charge.
Ms Morrall said: ‘We have been called travellers, gypsies, druggies – you name it we’ve been called it.
‘We’ve had animal welfare out for horses twice and they’ve taken one look and realised it was all very malicious.
‘We have had quite a lot of problems with the parish council. Some of the locals are just horrible.
‘There are always one or two – but we know we’ve helped stop the trashing of the estate.’
However, Ms Morrall said they have been ‘allowed’ by the landowner to remain at the site, and claims their presence has prevented ‘further damage’ being caused.
She said they are ‘the security at the moment,’ stopping teens from demolishing the buildings.
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Should squatters who claim to protect abandoned properties be welcomed or forced to leave?
Pictures show the other properties have been made into a ‘makeshift stable’ for the couple’s ponies – with manure covering the downstairs of one home
The couple pay no bills and no rent for the dilapidated properties, and say they are given money to act as security
Residents of St Erth in Cornwall have called for the couple (pictured) to be evicted over claims they have made it an ‘intimidating’ place
She said: ‘There have been loads of local teens coming in and vandalising the site.
‘Local builders have even come in and stolen bits – hence why the gates were locked in the first place.
‘Police have been out numerous times. It’s been going on since it was left derelict. We’ve been here seven months – and since then it has all stopped.’
The original planning application for the ten homes was submitted in 2013, along with access road and parking.
The application was initially refused by Cornwall Council and ruled to be ‘an isolated development in the countryside to the detriment of the rural character of the area.’
However, William Trevorrow – the applicant – appealed the ruling and the housing estate was permitted by the Planning Inspectorate in March 2015.
Building started shortly thereafter, but the houses have never been inhabited.
It has been owned by Barton Bridging Ltd since 2019 after the previous owner went into receivership.
According to Ms Morrall, the couple live off-grid in the downstairs of one of the properties that does not have electrics, copper or pipework
St Erith Parish Council have said the couple are on the estate without permission and steps are being taken to ensure their removal
The estate has now been fenced off, becoming overgrown and unkempt in what locals have branded a ‘blot on the village.’
St Erith Parish Council have said Ms Morrall and Mr Antram are on the estate without permission and steps are being taken to ensure their removal.
Ms Morrall said an informal arrangement is in place that allows them to stay until they find somewhere else to go.
She said: ‘We were homeless and living in a caravan – we were initially told we were renting this place but it turned out the guy we were renting off didn’t own the land.
‘We got in contact with the landowner who said we can stay.
‘We are the only two people living there.
‘It is odd. At first, it was weird. With no running water, no electric. We have to rely on a generator and get rainwater.
‘It has been a struggle, but you just cope.
The original planning application for the ten homes was submitted in 2013, along with access road and parking
Ms Morrall said the couple keep a Shetland pony who they ‘pretty much let roam the land’
Ms Morrall has described the estate as like an ‘apocalypse scene’
‘We are not security in an official capacity. We don’t really do much. We just keep an eye out. We’ve got CCTV and our dogs go out on patrol.
‘Apart from that, we phone the police when the teens come and try and vandalise it. There is not much else we can do.
‘But we’ve helped to keep the teenagers away and are always checking everything.’
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed they were previously called to the derelict site after reports of a woman with a suspected firearm were made on January 24.
It was reported that a man had been making threats, with firearms officers deployed to the scene.
Two air weapons and a machete were seized.
A woman in her 30s and a man in his 60s – both from the Hayle area – were arrested on suspicion of trespass on land with a firearm.
Both were later released with no further police action being taken.
In a statement, St Erth Parish Council said: ‘The parish council, in conjunction with Cornwall Council and the landowner, would like to clarify and address a number of rumours currently circulating in relation to the site at Chenhalls Road.
‘The couple living on the site originally entered the property late last year without the permission of the landowner.
‘The landowner is actively taking steps to secure their departure. Once the site is vacated, all properties will be boarded up, the perimeter secured, CCTV installed and a security company appointed to carry out regular inspections.’
The landowner Barton Bridging Ltd has been contacted for comment.
