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  "path": "/news/neighbour-row-fury-squatters-cornish-village-ponies-rottweillers",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-14T13:46:01.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Neighbour row plea issued by police after officers left irritated by repeat emergency call outs",
    "Furious locals fight back as 1,000-year-old community to be split in half in 'council land grab'",
    "Neighbours on clifftop 'millionaire's row' fume in planning row to build eight new houses",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nFury has erupted after a pair of squatters have occupied an abandoned housing development alongside their ponies and Rottweilers.\n\nVictoria Morrall, 39, and David Antram, 61, have been residing on the derelict site comprising 10 properties that have stood empty for nearly a decade in the Cornish village of St Erth.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe couple moved from their caravan several months ago into the ground floor of one of the unfinished homes, while converting another property into a makeshift stable for their horses.\n\nLocal residents are demanding the pair be evicted, claiming their presence has created an intimidating atmosphere in the otherwise quiet village, the Daily Mail reports.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe overgrown and neglected estate on Chenhalls Road has been described by locals as a \"blot on the village\".\n\nAuthorities are now collaborating with the landowner to secure the couple's removal from the site.\n\nMs Morrall maintains that she and Mr Antram exist entirely off-grid, with their dwelling lacking electricity, copper piping, or running water.\n\nShe said: \"We basically just live in the downstairs. There is a room seven by four metres.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"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.\"\n\nThe couple rely on a generator for power and collect rainwater to survive, describing the scene as resembling something from an \"apocalypse\".\n\nMs Morrall insists they serve as informal guardians of the property, claiming vandalism has ceased since their arrival seven months ago.\n\nShe said: \"There have been loads of local teens coming in and vandalising the site.\"\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Neighbour row plea issued by police after officers left irritated by repeat emergency call outs\n  * Furious locals fight back as 1,000-year-old community to be split in half in 'council land grab'\n  * Neighbours on clifftop 'millionaire's row' fume in planning row to build eight new houses\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe development's troubled history stretches back to 2013, when the original planning application for 10 homes with access roads and parking was submitted.\n\nCornwall Council initially rejected the proposal, deeming it an isolated countryside development that would harm the rural character of the area.\n\nHowever, applicant William Trevorrow successfully appealed the decision, with the Planning Inspectorate granting permission in March 2015.\n\nConstruction commenced shortly afterwards, yet none of the properties have ever been occupied.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe site changed hands in 2019 when Barton Bridging Ltd acquired it following the previous owner entering receivership.\n\nMs Morrall claims the couple were initially deceived into believing they were renting the property, only to discover the person they paid did not own the land.\n\nShe says they subsequently contacted the actual landowner, who permitted them to remain.\n\nDevon and Cornwall Police confirmed they responded to the site on January 24 following reports of a woman allegedly carrying a firearm.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOfficers were told a man had been making threats, prompting the deployment of armed police to the scene.\n\nTwo air weapons and a machete were recovered during the incident.\n\nMs Morrall and Mr Antram were both arrested on suspicion of trespassing on land with a firearm, but were subsequently released without any further action being taken.\n\nThe couple say they have endured considerable hostility from some members of the community.\n\n\"We have been called travellers, gypsies, druggies - you name it we've been called it\", Ms Morrall said.\n\nShe added that animal welfare officers had visited twice regarding their horses, but found the complaints to be malicious.\n\nSt Erth Parish Council has issued a statement directly contradicting Ms Morrall's account of having permission to stay.\n\n\"The couple living on the site originally entered the property late last year without the permission of the landowner,\" the council said.\n\nThe parish council confirmed it is working alongside Cornwall Council and the property owner to address the situation.\n\n\"The landowner is actively taking steps to secure their departure,\" the statement continued.\n\nOnce the couple vacate the premises, authorities plan to board up all properties, reinforce the perimeter fencing, install CCTV cameras, and appoint a professional security firm to conduct regular patrols.\n\nMs Morrall maintains an informal arrangement exists allowing them to stay until alternative accommodation can be found.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Fury erupts after pair of squatters descend on Cornish village with ponies and Rottweilers"
}