Wales: Farmer discusses threat of eviction from family land

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

A county judge heard the allegations towards the man which suggest the property is a mess with “dangerous” items. Ken May faced Gateshead Council in County Court on Wednesday – following a month-long dispute over the state of his property.

Mr May, 67, has been in his home for around 66 years, after moving to the address in Standfield Gardens, Wardley, in 1955.

Speaking to Chronicle Live, Mr May said: “I have complied to the best of my ability with the promises I gave to this court.

“I have reduced to zero my arrears, I have cleared up the house – I have de-cluttered it.

“I have photographic evidence of some of the things I have thrown away that have been collected by the council.

“I have little access to electricity, I have no access to hot water. My ability to clean the house is limited because of that.

“I have complied with my promise to tidy the garden up – I have trimmed the hedges.

“I have trimmed the hedge down even though it belongs to the other neighbour – I did that with the agreement of my neighbour.

“When I have been asked to facilitate safety inspections I have complied.”

Mr May has also suggested the eviction which is being served is a breach of the human rights legislation.

Representative for Gateshead Council, Shada Mellor, argued that the company which is dealing with Mr May’s electricity had disconnected the meter after finding out he had been by-passing it.

Ms Mellor said: “You refer to making promises to the court; that was at the hearing February 3, 2020.

“That was over a year and a half ago. Any of these improvements should have been improved and finished by now.

DON’T MISS
Desperate Remainers launch ‘digital protest’ for Britain to rejoin EU [REACTION]
Union slams Brexit & Covid for record 34% fruit & veg picker shortage [COMMENT]
Christmas pork in short supply after critical lack of butchers [REVEAL]

“You have had a significant period of time to get things back in order. The conditions of the property’s tenancy agreement requires you to keep it neat and tidy and dispose of your rubbish properly.

“They sent you a letter on August 12 asking if they could look at the property, you declined.

“There is a condition in the tenancy agreement is to not do anything that could cause damage.

“The reason you don’t have any electricity or power at the property is because you haven’t paid any charges – you have by-passed your electricity meter.

“Your property is in no better condition than it was a year and a half ago.

“You have got items in your property that are dangerous to yourself and others.”

According to the housing worker, the use of a petrol generator to charge car batteries was dangerous and that “dangerous materials” stored in the house were a “health risk”.

Mr May has now been told that he has 28 days to vacate the property, however, should the man be able to provide evidence that it has been cleaned up then he may be able to apply for eviction proceedings to be halted.

Source: Read Full Article