Here is a copy of the first letter I passed on to the farming family claiming to own the land at Tremain. I had to pass this through a neighbour as they have never provided me with any way to directly contact them
Letter to whom it may regard re land at Tremain
1. I am writing this to you in the hope that you can read in in a calm and balanced manner. The meetings we have had so far have normally left with you extremely angry and clearly not willing to have any form of discussion.
2.This is a statement of my position regarding the land at Tremain which you claim ownership of.
3. As I have stated from the outset, I strongly advise you to seek good legal advice from a solicitor, and consider the advice you will be given before attempting to take any further action.
3. On the 17th April 2022, having cleared a lot of extremely overgrown foliage out of the way, I placed a caravan on the land at Tremain, and have placed a temporary barrier at the entrance, an indication that the site is being made secure.
4.Having done this, I have clearly met the full legal requirements for taking adverse possession of the land. The land is now legally in my possession and I can and will defend that position if required to do so.
5.I have extensive photographic and video evidence of clearing the site prior to arrival, my arrival on the site, and evidence of any work I have done whilst there.
6. In the process of gaining entry to the site, I have caused no damage to any property. I have cleared away decades of overgrowth which in itself is evidence of the apparent abandonement of the site.
7. I have cut back a number of small branches which were overhanging the present location of the caravan. All material cut back is still present on the site.
8. I have been visiting this site frequently over the last few years, and photographic evidence from those visits, as well as satelite imagery dating back to the 1990’s show the site in a state of continuous abandonement.
9. I should point out that prior to taking this action, I have made an extensive study with regards to abandonned and unregistered land. I am fully aware of my legal situation, and also the full raminfications and consequences of any action that may be taken against me, whether legal, or otherwise. I have noted all the neighboring land that is registered, their boundaries etc, and note that this land is not, and never has been formally registered.
10. I have also had a career where dealing with difficult and angry people was daily occurence, and am not intimidated in any way by the actions of others.
11. You state that you maintained the property in the past, have fenced it, and have kep pigs and sheep there. You have clearly used the property as your own, but there is very clear evidence that you stopped doing so a significant time ago. There is no evidence of any recent activity on the site, either by yourselves or others.
12. The evidence you showed me re your gradfather’s will (Dated 1969)may well have indicated his intentions, and actual possession of the land at the time the will was drawn up.
13. It does not in any way demonstrate actual ownership of the land. In fact it proves the opposite must be true.
14. Upon your grandfather’s death, all property and holdings owned by him would have been transfered to whoever they were bequeathed to at that time. From then on, the ownership would be held by the new owners. This would of course include yourself as a beneficiary of his will.
15. The fact that this clearly did not occur suggests that either the probate at the time was not completed in a professional manner, or the property bequeathed did not have clear evidence of ownership, and therefore no transfer could in fact take place.
16. Whatever hapenned at that time, other properties were passed on to their new owners, but this property was not.
17. However, since then, you appear to have assumed the normal rights that would be confered with ownership, and used the property as if you were in fact the owner.
18. Regardless of your legal ownership of the land, this would have then given you the right to claim it and to then take full legal ownership which would of course still be entirely valid today.
19. You did not do so. You told me that you didn’t register the land because of the cost involved, and that the land clearly had no value as you would not be given planning permission.
20. The fact that you failed to take any of these steps means that you now have no legal rights regarding this land whatsoever.
21. In fact, you have had over 30 or more years in which to establish clear ownership of the land. You have not done so.
To clarify
22. I have now taken clear possession of the land effective from the 17th April 2022.
23. You came to the property on the same day, and asserted your ownership of the land.
24. I have made it very clear on every occasion that we have actually spoken that I will vacate the land and remove my property from it upon reciept of clear evidence of your ownership of the property
25. The following does not in any way demonstrate ownership
26. Your gradfather’s will
27. Asserting that you have used the land in the past
28. Stating that the land is registered to you for the single farm payment scheme.
29. Your various assertions that “everyone around here knows that this belongs to me”. This is irrelevent.
30. The only evidence I will accept will be legal documentation that clearly shows the historical trail of ownership which clearly demonstrates ownership by your family, and this would need to be current and up to date. In other words, I require the same evidence as would be required by any solicitor acting as a conveyancer, or the land registry.
31. The fact that you have not been able to provide this information, even at very short notice suggests that it does not actually exist in any form, and you therefore have no legitimate legal claim to the land.
32. You have also stated that you are familiar with registering land, having bought and sold land and property in the past. This demonstrates that you clearly have extensive knowledge and experience of land ownership, and the legal requirements to demonstrate this. The fact that you have not registered, and therefore taken full legal possession of this land is evidence of neglect on your part, leaving the property open to a full legal challenge as I am currently doing.
33. I do not however have any intention to cause distress or humiliation to you, or your family, so I am happy to offer a number of solutions, any or all of which would allow you to minimise your apparent loses, and maintain the respect and standing you have in the community.
34. I am happy for you to continue to recieve the single farm payment upon this land. You could continue to revieve this until I gain full title to the property in 12 years time, I have no interest in farming and there would be no consequences to me if you continue to recieve the payment. Whether you are(or ever have been) legally entitled to the payment is entirely for you to decide.
35. I am happy for you to inform all of the neighbours that we have worked out a solution, and suggest that I have bought the land from you. This would allow you to save face, and withdraw from this situation without further difficulties.
36. I would then support any statement to this fact if asked to do so in the future.
37. It could be stated that my arrival on the land without permission was simply to provoke any owner into coming to reasonable terms with me so that I could then buy the land in the normal way. I have no interest in what local people think, or believe regarding this situation.
38. My acceptance of this does not in any way acknowledge that you have legitemate ownership of the land, only that you may give the impression to others that this has been the case.
39. If of course, you continue to harass me, send your friends and neighbours to stop and photograph me, and any other form this may take, I will more than happily explain the full legal situation to whoever is prepared to listen, and ensure that people are fully aware of the legitimacy of my actions.
40. What will not happen
41. I will not give up possession of the property under any circumstances unless you can provide irrefutable evidence of ownership.
42. I will not be intimidated by any number of your friends, relatives etc stopping close to the site, and very obviously taking photographs. The only purpose this currently serves is to reinforce, and provide numerous witnesses to, my current possession of the property.
43. Please do not continue to make threats. I am more than aware that as a local farmer, you, and any number of your friends have possession of and access to heavy machinary that could easily remove my vehicle, and the caravan. Do you really think that I had not considered the risk of that form of action.
44. If you do take any kind of action outside of the legal route, be in no doubt that there will be full legal consequences.
45. As you are fully aware, having yourself stated that “I’ve informed the police”, my actions are not breaking any laws, and the police will not take action against me.
46. However, any attempt that you make, to interfere with, or attempt to remove my property will break a number of laws, and the police will be involved immediately. The proximity of both the local stations in Cardigan and Aberaeron means that they would probably be on site within minutes.
47. Any action you take will be recorded, and this will be used as evidence.
48. You will have noticed the camera located on a tripod adjacent to the caravan. The sole purpose of this is to make you aware that there are camera’s monitoring the site 24hs a day. They are mostly concealed, and record remotely.
49. I also have voice recordings where you make clear threats to take action.
50. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO MOVE ANY OF MY PROPERTY FROM THE SITE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS PERMISSION IN ANY FORM AT THIS TIME. REVOVAL OF PROPERTY WOULD BE THEFT, AND DAMAGE CAUSED IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVAL WOULD BE CRIMINAL DAMAGE.
51. Any legal possession that you held was clearly historical, and in any case was brought to an end when I took possession of the property.
52. What I would suggest is that at some point, we attempt to have a reasonable discussion.
53. I continue to assert that you can provide evidence of ownership at any time, and I will leave immediately if you do.
54. If, and I believe this is the case, you cannot provide this, then I expect to be left alone without any further interferance from you.
55. If you wish to take up the suggestions in points 35–38 then we would need to discuss and agree upon this.
56. Any agreement by me would be entirely comensurate upon your behaviour being, and continuing to be reasonable.
57. I am aware that you percieve that you have had something taken from you. This is unfortunate.
58. Please show this letter to your legal representative, and I would strongly advise that you take note of the advice being offered to you
59. I can be contacted via .…. my email address was included here.