Young eco-warriors squatting on council land were packing up today after being ordered to leave by a county court judge.

Christiana Tugwell, 15, and her mother Maria appeared at the Southend court to answer a case of trespassing on land earmarked for a luxury housing development.

The family represented itself after claiming they did not have sufficient time to seek legal advice when the notice was served last Thursday. By law only two clear days are required to serve a notice of summons.

Christiana has been occupying the land at Etheldore Avenue in Hockley in a makeshift camp for four weeks with support from other local teenagers.

They are angry at planning permission being granted for 66 large homes to be built, which they believe will damage the environment. Judge Gordon Rice heard the case of Rochford District Council vs Miss Tugwell and persons unknown.

He said he appreciated the cause of the protesters and that she was an intelligent girl, but warned he was only concerned with the legal arguments.

He told the court he had no option but to make the order against Christiana and two unnamed persons, which effectively means they should vacate the property immediately.

Judge Rice was also concerned for the welfare of the children sleeping rough on the site, although he added it was not his business.

He said: "I am concerned that there are young people on the site and if it continues social services should be informed."

The judge also said he hoped Christiana would realise that orders must be made and warned there would be serious consequences if she failed to follow them.

Speaking after the case Rochford Council's finance director Roger Cross said: "We hope they would now vacate the land and should go immediately. If they do not go, we will take it further."

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