The fight for land in London - BBC London

A battle has broken out on the River Thames about who owns and controls a huge section of river bank near Hampton Court. No-one had ever previously tried to register ownership of the land, but now the Environment Agency is attempting to, they face a legal battle with a tight-knit boating community based there who are worried about their future. Gareth Furby has the story.
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[@09jimmer]

Mate you don’t need a lock for that gate, no one is getting through that solid, sturdy barrier!

[@FirstnameLastname-dm2xl]

Lol That's not to stop anyone, it's to show they've looked after the place so this land ownership works in their favour.

[@20centurysquirrel]

“Anti social boating” is my favourite term now.

[@russellhart2006]

Pay £330 a month to live under a train bridge .......

[@ronnieg6358]

And the council spend it on housing migrants,

[@Mr_Ashley]

Russell Hart 😂😂

[@TheLes1039]

The noise should make it free

[@Ayubdj7]

That sound like a great deal to me.

[@Maybe1Someday]

LUL

[@dxvy1]

Seems to me that they just dug out a piece of paper from their loft and they realise they own some land and now they want some bucks for it

[@DriverExtraordinaire-qn6gt]

Good luck to them , we pay enough taxes and charges as it is to the money grabbing government. Council tax seems to be going up every year yet I can’t see the services getting any better, even the bin men won’t empty the bin if the lid isn’t shut properly!

[@heftyalan1152]

Don't lose the boats whether Windsor, Oxford or East Molesey they add a little colour to the bland path. No idea why the neighbour has an issue as he is the other side of the river and also everyone can still walk along the path.

[@carolconner9216]

It does seem the boat owners should be given right of domain because of how long they have resided there. Plus, I feel for the homeowners on the embankment. Their idyllic view of the Thames will be destroyed when the contractors begin developing "proper" moorings. Why does every bit of land on this planet have to be property?

[@roberthall-palmer9134]

The fact is that someone owns most land in England. It's just a case of finding who.

[@funny-video-YouTube-channel]

£330 a month to live under the bridge :-) How about paying £50 a month to any home owner that has a legal part of the riverbank ?

[@cjewe1z]

No part of the riverbank should be owned by private individuals or agencies. It should be open for all to enjoy.

[@healthyforpurpose1898]

Rich people being jealous of tax free boaters leave the people live

[@depee3507]

For real 😂👍

[@sanzidakhannargis986]

So they get right to use government facilities like every other citizen but not pay a single penny towards it? Seems a bit unfair to me it's not like they are disabled. Besides it really does look ugly I'm sure you wouldn't say the same thing if you owned a house near the canal like this elderly couple. How safe is it too? They're not registered in the system to provide evidence of their stay so if somethj g happens to you I guess you should blame your luck then

[@depee3507]

@@sanzidakhannargis986 Government facilities? This is planet Earth. The government don't own a thing. No government does. They are self empowered and use education, bribery, cons, divide and rule and other measures to condition and control the minds of susceptible individuals en masse. Religion, Monarchy, taxation, Government. All have one thing in common. They take your earnings while promising reward that you will never ever see. Back to my point. This is planet Earth. If negotiations don't work, it's back to defending 'your land' using force obviously. What has EVERY war been about? Land ownership and control of individuals that walk on the land. Some have big armies. Some have small. Are your eyes open now? 🤓 government facilities 😂😂😂 smh

[@vivakimo]

It's public land, turning it into gated private property is not acceptable.

[@depee3507]

@@vivakimo erm. The home that you live in? Who did the land that it is built upon, belong to? Did 'god' gift it to you or the previous owner(s)? Who drew the lines, that section the premise off from what you call 'public' land? 🛍 best pack your bags. Land ownership is a myth and anybody with an army can evict you and takeover your land. Beware of the London grime artists 😂

[@michaelstevens3479]

There is a comment from one who thinks he will not grow old,I have felt that way for over 70 years now.

[@mjribes]

Surely if a stretch of land has no owner then it's owned by the Crown? Doesn't the Crown, in principle, own the underlying title in all land since William the Conqueror took it all?

[@SystemNutrition]

sounds like jealousy

[@applemacHATER]

i am jealous, for i am homeless

[@chesurechesure]

Good luck to anyone who wants to live in London.

[@syedalehasnaatshah]

The land doesn’t belong to the boaters. There is nothing wrong with them paying an annual charge for using it. Everyone in this country pays.

[@captainpinky8307]

oh what a good little commie you are.

[@RS-jz4pg]

poxy rich are complaining for a bit of land that they have never used or cleaned or lawned once and saying they would be sorry to lose a bit of this land to add the land onto their own meter square making it more valuable for themselves...

[@cormackeenan8175]

In Ireland they sold council tenants there houses they lived for £8000 two years later the tenants were selling them for circa £250,000. What’s to stop these boats owner doing the same if they claim the property under squatter rights. They essentially become the ones who own the property and they could rent it to someone else...

[@eastcorkcheeses6448]

Really?, there's a 10 year claw back on council property sold at a discount, and I never heard of a 250,000 euro house being sold by the council for 8000. Stick another 0 on, (which is still stupidly low)

[@campkira]

Government come and get it back later in life. It mean nothing.

[@killerbee8892]

It’s such a small loophole. 15 boats? Just leave it be. We need to stop this culture of Being bothered what other people get away with.

[@amana1480]

2:15 I don't mind them living there..... this guy just seems to be jealous...

[@pelyor2413]

They were saying the land is not registered to anybody, So get a good lawyer and register the land to each of the boat owners , With special clauses and rights for future users . ! Not for sale ! or profit .

[@spencerwilton5831]

You need proof of transfer or ownership to register land. Very little land in this country is actually registered.

[@Superbustr]

The environment agency f'ed up by not registering that they own the riverbank land. So in all honesty the boat people have the full right to moor their boats their forever. What should happen is that either the home owners or the council should pay off all the boat people to get them to leave. Once their is no one moored on the riverbank a new set of legislation can be passed to stop anyone from mooring on the riverbank for free or at all.

[@simple22travel11]

Some of those fences could be dismantled by council workers in about 30 seconds....

[@TheSoosai]

What is your problem John and Charmaine? Are you Jealous?

[@peterhh369]

I believe it's quite clear where we live is a Kingdom and a Kingdom usually has a King or as we have now we have a Queen so if we understand this then we know who is our Landlord in this case Landlady.

[@lynnleigha580]

That's crazy, around here, it's called "common land" and the city is supposed to be taking care of it. It's like when you have a house, you don't own the street, it's public property aka common land and most property lines stop at the sidewalk and It's the taxes we pay that is supposed to be paying for upkeep

[@phildobson8705]

Caravan owners should find a piece of road with grass between the road and the footpath! And fence off that grass with rope and the rickety Gate

[@James-zs3vm]

they're called gypsies

[@joapps8135]

Does their plumbing release into the river?

[@MmmKayHuuNay]

That man's name is John Smith

[@ABMW-tech]

London is great city.. really.

[@paddybrady652]

good luck to you all protect your land.

[@chilman6461]

Good work hope you win

[@NorthernPyro]

Well how about a compromise. They pay taxes for the land they maintain, and get to stay in return. See how many stay once they have fees to pay.

[@thisisadebrown]

I love how the guy who was probably paid exorbitant fees for the house, plus exorbitant taxes, is getting upset because someone has found a way around it

[@adelaidesky5039]

The government works for the people, not the other way around.

[@originalunoriginal4055]

Owner or not, no one will be taking an inch of land or a wooden plank when you're buried 6ft under. There's definitely some jealous neighbours involved. People with too much time... that's who.

[@gvi341984]

Government should just own the land. Unclaimed land becomes legal battle between citizens that never ends

[@MrVidification]

It's one big competition for land

[@docpro2]

Good luck, folks, may the force be with you! The justice won't!

[@greyline1012]

You couldn’t pay me to live in London.

[@lynnleigha580]

A lock will definitely keep trespassers out

[@MrLioncash]

Another example of the rules being applied to the people but not to the state. Navigation and floodrisk maintainence is not the same as financial management and profit gain.

[@lynnleigha580]

3 bedroom house boat?? Sign me UP, lol!

[@3506Dodge]

the public path is not blocked

[@samueldion-dundas5219]

Let's not forget that the real story here is that the city is so unaffordable that people need to live in boats and bicker about forgotten strips of river bank to be able to get by.

[@marycahill546]

In Canada we do things a little differently. In mst of Canada waterfront owners own the land by the water. In province of Quebec all waterfront is government land and public.

[@JScot92]

That land should be designated as public amenity land and any type of construction on it should be removed immediately. It looks like a public recreation space to me and nobody should have the right to construct anything on it or prohibit access which is what the arrogant boaters are doing. Ownership is an entirely separate issue from the planning designation which should ensure the land is available for the public to enjoy.

[@stevo728822]

Those boat owners have no right to fence off public land. They are trying to steal land that doesn't belong to them.

[@bigjohn606]

There is a difference between public land and unregistered land. If land is not on the books with the Land Registry, it does not make it public land. If the true owner cannot prove their ownership, then the land can be possibly claimed through "adverse possession". This involves occupying and using the land, to the exclusion of all others, for a long period - 12 years if it's unregistered, though some land owned by the Crown must be occupied for at least 60 years before you can claim title.

[@whatsmynameagain7774]

You should find out the weasels involved and pay them a visit.

[@johnk.6088]

ohhh, that's horrible. We in Kyiv have the same problem but do not do anything about it. The best river side places are build up with "big houses" of the businesses mans and people close to the government.

[@lupinthe3rd314]

What’s next we own the water 💧

[@jasperedwards3341]

is this just like in the 80s with new age travelers

[@d.josephvirnig764]

The bottom line is the boat owners do not own the land and they have enjoyed a free ride but are now called to task. Also where does their waste go? I pay allot more then what was discussed to moor my boat (USA) but since I don't own the land and the public owns the water it is only right.

[@felixfrost1564]

I thought the Queen owns all in england

[@applemacHATER]

the queen is german dna

[@campkira]

There are thing royalty own and government's own.

[@Davehiphop]

Hide the Coppers face but not his boat! Nice one BBC....

[@reginaldburnbridge2217]

Good old Agenda 21, /who owns the Council, where is it registered as a business?/does it pay tax?

[@kethughes8266]

presumably if you actually went anywhere on your boat you could come back and find some one else moored there rendering you without moorings.

[@Cartoonman154]

What do you expect when you have the population of Yorkshire within the M25

[@boz2297]

Can someone tell me the purpose of that gate

[@funkybuddha3413]

Ooo brtish govt if they want they will tax u for breathing as well .... its alll abt tax! Tax! Tax!!

[@petersmith6974]

Isn’t it crown land ??

[@balf1111117373]

The environment agency isn’t trying to “own” the land. It’s their duty to maintain the land and a HUGE part of their income comes from fishermen’s rod licenses. Maybe they wanted to leave that part wild and not disturbed. 100% behind the environment agency. Common land should be shared by everybody and every animal

[@fafski1199]

The land is not registered to anybody, so why should the environment agency or the council have it? Unclaimed or unowned land is not automatically, owned by the state or any state agency for that matter. If anything I'd say the people that are using it, ie. the people in the boats and the home owners, have more rights to it, than anyone else. Because, laws already exist that state, if a piece of land has no owner and someone has lived there and maintained it for 10 years, then they have a right to claim that land. I can't see any difference here.

[@amana1480]

Just like the Environment Agency is making a claim to the Land Registry for the land, the boat owners should also make the same legal claim to the Land Registry for the land... OR if the Environment Agency leave everyone alone, they could just carry on as they are, with no-one owning the land....

[@barbara1904]

I bet there would be no complaints if it were rich people’s yachts that were moored.

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

The boat squatter's aren't living on the land, they're living on the water so where's their right to the land?

[@neomatrix3612]

They throw their garbage into the river and make a huge mess.. You see it drifting down at Kingston.

[@dennisatkins9666]

Getting more like Spain everyday only 800 000 people have lost their properties many of them European nationals

[@thomashennigan2913]

Because I can't have it you can't... I hate that mentality

[@lateapex9420]

England is a damp, depressing little place.

[@makeitsonumberone1358]

Why does everyone want to move there then?

[@lateapex9420]

@@makeitsonumberone1358 Welfare! It certainly isn't the weather, or the wide open spaces, the nice affordable homes, the great city cultures of acid attacks, stabbings, alcoholism.

[@mattparkin7224]

@@lateapex9420 you're reading too much daily mail, mate...

[@malikrahman8649]

It's turning into that unfortunately. Capitalism is good up to a certain point.

[@djmonstrosity6971]

@@lateapex9420 Not for the quality of life that's for sure.

[@TASMAN-1]

Nothing's free in this world. You pay with cash, grass or ass !!

[@thomascook736]

Why does every thing with the acronym EA suck... Electronic Arts Early Access Environment Agency

[@trainrover]

Those moorers had truly better know WTF they're - uhm - up against, e.g., somebody owns that reinforced concrete riverbank wall alongside which some of those squatters tether their crafts. Besides, doesn't the regent ultimately own all turf and waterways there, i.e., property owners are merely licensed to keep 'their' tracts there?

[@lawrencebishton9071]

Thanks Joseph selling my geo grathi

[@yevgeniyshawyer2767]

It’s like homeless people leaving next to your home. Who want this?

[@joshuawhittick4496]

thought this was gonna be about gang turf wars but that's uk for u haha

[@amieldejesus8970]

Y’all ain’t done taking land yet?

[@MrMwhiting]

Biased BBC. Sign the UK open petition for a no deal Brexit 353,671 MBGA

[@ryanboshell6124]

I fooking hate the government. I hate paying tax more. But, if I have to, at least spend it on things that need doing and people that need help. This government is taking more and more from everybody except the filthy rich, yet we get nothing in return! Nothing!

[@greekre]

queen will take it

[@wallbags2516]

Sounds like they have used their initiative in an increasingly unaffordable area.... I think its a brilliant idea..... Unfortunately its spoiling his lordships view, boo hoo

[@routemaster3877]

The council needs to take it and charge a small fee to moor. Create the income to look after the band

[@routemaster3877]

Bank*

[@Dan-wq9cd]

All cos they want money

[@themightydash1714]

Yep, and they'll price those boat owners out of London. Funny how they want diversity, apart from when it's the poor. Having only rich people is not diverse.

[@campkira]

@@themightydash1714 diversity is not living for free.

[@JUNK4UCREW]

So if they dont pay mooring fees they wont pay council tax either. Make these free loaders pay.

[@johnbrown2371]

we should have the rite to live for free anywhere. why do we have to pay to be alive

[@italbabe10]

what like gypos, yeah right

[@johnbrown2371]

fool

[@bobforton3722]

No we don't. That's called squatting.

[@wartanabadanooh7157]

It's all about law and order and creating fairness and equality I reckon but the government always ends up taking the piss.

[@simple22travel11]

Because people would argue and fight over places and the we would have to settle by paying for it, so we would end up exactly were we are now, land used to be free but communities built councils and those councils function within governing bodies which need to run services like rubbish removal and policing and street lighting which all cost money so we have to pay taxes and rates and property gains value over time. Your comment is uneducated and without thought.

[@nalrahtheone3910]

they just doing what they always did. Take land that ant theirs!! and then complain

[@themightydash1714]

If you maintain the grass verge outside your house for 10 years if it has no owner, you have a claim to it. That is already law, I see no difference what so ever here. The land has no owner, these people have maintained it. They have claim to it. There is precidence for that.

[@fargogemini694]

River Pikey’s

[@comicbookguy1249]

I can see both points to this arguement.These people who live on the river are not paying any money to be there, probably not council tax as well they have it pretty good and now expect to get land for free madness. To me the middle ground in this is to allow the boat people to use the land (to get to the boat and within reason use it) as it's public land but they can't own it or build on it. I think its a bit cheeky putting up a fence some people have such entitlement. I think if you give them the land can't sell it or build on it. If they do anything to it could it could be an eye sore ruining the scenery. The house owners are right they dont mind the boats being there . Giving the land away seems stupid. What could they do with it anyway if the got the patch of land. I think point they are trying to make is leave it alone. I know some people will disagree with me here but the land owners should more say in this matter as the houses have been there longer and they are paying tax. Though I dont think this is Metionioned in the comments or video but if wildlife live around in that area these boat peope should be removed. Overall I think boat people should not get the land any and all fences should be taken down. They can use the land within reason but not build anything. If they want a garden buy a patch of land somewhere else or a house. If I was one of these boat people I would be just thankful just having a place to stay.

[@AA-wv1pr]

They should be able to live there for free but they shouldn’t get to own the land

[@not-this-fartoofar3606]

Happy to claim benefits and live cheaply form the support of others working.

[@suzesiviter6083]

We pay therefore they should pay, disgusting attitude.

[@gcruz983]

What a desperate bunch.

[@Sion.Ryan.Green.]

It's all Gods, and humans paved paradise then put up a parking lot! They added little boxes on the hillside, little boxes made of ticky tacky.

[@carlaclarke6650]

Sell as much as you can English people because the flood barrier to stop the sea washing the place out will fail in the next generation sell sell sell

[@perppatrol1713]

Yep I might buy an allotment put cannons on their for everyone's entertainment then sell it to someone land of the fee as they say, hope I can get mother to leave this dump

[@yester9037]

1.51 Tory git

[@Cartoonman154]

How does that make him a tory git?

[@kane211]

Nobody owns anything we let everything when we die someone els takes over and so on

[@vladnickul]

What a bunch... no one's land is still the state land. imagine how it will be if all the cartografic errors were speculate-ted like this, one count "own" the land between two buildings a pice of mountain or half a meter in the miđdle of the road , just because somewhere in time a guy made a mistake.... public land should not be taken by anyone. If the boaters were gypsies the cops with bulldozers will finish their dreams in a instant.

[@milkacake9502]

Just like cyclists. Who ride around like they own the road. But dont pay roadtax or insurance🤔. Haha!

[@brannocstevenson6971]

road tax was abolished in 1937

[@routemaster3877]

Road tax doesn't pay for roads. It's just another form of tax that gets put into to pot. But I do agree that the squatters need to pay

[@tom.pledgerrr4847]

routemaster 387 Thank you! So many people get it wrong with “roadtax”

[@chrtsi6912]

British are so obssesed with taxes...and then they go preaching against communism! 😄😄

[@Dan-wq9cd]

Samir Rafiq they don’t pollute the environment dumbass

[@kane211]

Most them people would sell if they won the right money grabbing!!!

[@spannerworks4680]

UK = show me the money .. it's all about selling it off to make a few bucks