A MAN who has been living in a caravan in an abandoned quarry near Coniston has been ordered to leave after more than five years.

Simon Gregg, 50, moved in to High Close quarry in 2013 and has since built an encampment including an awning and a generator.

The land is owned by Cumbria Highways, who took Gregg to court last week in a bid to get him to move on so they can use the land.

However, chairman of the bench Stephen Baker granted Gregg extra time to move out, after Gregg explained that he wanted to wait until the local wildlife had gone into hibernation so he did disturb them.

Speaking in court, Cumbria County Council’s solicitor Mr Farnsworth explained that the council had made efforts to ask Gregg to leave, and served a notice in March.

He failed to do so within 28 days of the notice being served, so the council undertook steps to remove him, eventually leading to the court case.

Mr Farnsworth explained that if Gregg did not comply with the order following the court date, the council would be entitled to remove the caravan themselves using a low loader.

He added: “I do think it is right that Mr Gregg is given some grace period to try and sort this out himself.

“The local authority proposes that this should last until September 10, however I believe he wants it to be until the end of October.

“That is for the court to decide.”

Mr Farnsworth noted that the council would be obliged to try and ensure nothing was damaged should they have to forcibly remove the caravan, however he pointed out that due to its poor condition, they could not guarantee it “would not just fall apart.”

Representing himself, Gregg said: “I accept that I need to relocate. If I could get to do so at the end of October, it would allow the wildlife to go into seasonal hibernation so that I do not disturb them by moving a caravan with a truck through their habitat.

“I have the means to move the caravan myself. I use a farm truck, and can put the wheels back on to enable the caravan to be moved.”

Mr Baker said: “It seems that in this case the council have been very reasonable, and the response from Mr Gregg has been reasonable.

“I want to keep this process reasonable.

“We request that Mr Gregg vacates the site by October 28.”