Eco-warrior evicted from cave dwelling without fire exit

An eco-warrior has been evicted from the cave he lives in on his allotment patch in Brighton, East Sussex, because it doesn't have a fire exit.



Hilaire Purbrick, 45, has inhabited the seven-foot cave he dug on his plot and dined off the land for the past 16 years.
But after having the dwelling checked by the fire brigade, Brighton and Hove City Council decided it did not have enough exits and sought an injunction banning him from entering it.




Mr Purbrick ignored the order and continued to live in the cave, but was pulled back into court on Tuesday when a judge granted the council a possession order which will allow him to be formally evicted and banned indefinitely from the site.
Mr Purbrick now plans to take his fight to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming his right to a private life and freedom has been breached by the order.
"I am still living there and intend to continue to do so," he said. "I know lots of people in this town who live in houses with only one door with no fire exit."
The keen gardener has a history of overcoming legal challenges to his earthy home.
In 1999, town hall authorities threatened to remove him, claiming he was running an illegal vegetable shop.
But Mr Purbick won a reprieve after claiming his site "was hardly a Sainsbury's" and he only had one customer – a pregnant woman who bought his sprouts.
The following year he successfully fought an eviction order after complaints he was keeping chickens and bees without permission.
Granting the possession order at Brighton County Court, Judge Jonathan Simpkiss said there were legitimate health and safety concerns that the cave could collapse.
"The council considers this was a danger to life. They have a responsibility to the public," he said.
Mr Purbrick's decision to appeal to the European courts was made after the judge refused leave to appeal in a UK court, saying it was a "hopeless cause of trying to resist the inevitable".

 

Bullying *.

Look at the contradiction here. (That the cave could collapse. How the * would he get out of a 7 feet space even if he had a back and front door.

 

Maybe he'll get the opportunity to have a shower. Smelly *.

 

Let the man live in his cave for * sake. Waste of money trying to evict him.

 

Cheap digs, looks homely

 

The only want him in a house to get him on the Council Tax registar.

 

Thats it mate, they don't like you living outside the system, it's dangerous(for them) and non profitable.

 

remember yesterday I said They want my bank details to pay me a refund. I got another letter this morning, exact same to fill in.
I am going to send the 2 two days apart and see if they pay it twice,

No wonder the * are always pleading they are skint.

Watch this space.

 

i wana see around his crib!! any more pics?

 

Good luck mate, hope you get a double dunter :icon_mrgreen: The bass'a are relentless though in their pursuit of the money should they notice the mistake though

 

Your not a building surveyor for the council surely.

 

They are *, none of their business where he is living.