Anti-fracking protesters from the Upton Protection Camp are in Manchester this morning (Friday, November 6) as a formal eviction notice is sought at the County Court. The action has been brought by farmers Tim and Piers Dutton, the freehold owners of the land, along with Dart Energy (West England) Ltd and IGas Energy Plc who are now the leaseholders. Reporter David Holmes was in Manchester to cover the protest and the court hearing.

Key Events

Signing off

The protesters are heading back to Chester to consider their next course of action so we are bringing our coverage of today’s Manchester County Court hearing to a close. Thank you for following our live updates throughout the day.

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Disappointing day

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Eviction order case lost

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What will the protesters do next?

We are currently trying to get a comment from the protesters to see what their reaction is to the decision and what they plan to do next.

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Application for costs

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Cries of 'shame'

Cries of ‘shame!’ and sarcastic shouts of ‘Merry Xmas!’ as eviction order granted for Upton anti-fracking camp

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December 4 eviction deadline

The judge in the Upton anti-fracking camp case grants eviction order enforceable by December 4

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Children need permanent accommodation

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Judge begins announcing decision

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Summing up continues

The judge is still continuing his summing up in the fracking eviction notice case.

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Judge summing up

The judge is currently summing up both sides of the arguments in the fracking eviction notice case.

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Judgement due

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Camp children not represented

Applicants’ lawyer in Upton camp eviction case says court asked give ‘great weight’ to camp children even though they are not represented

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No protection from Eviction Act

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No agreement to stay

The IGas lawyer argues the farmer’s attitude was ‘toleration’ NOT agreement to stay on his land in Duttons Lane in Upton

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Court back in action

The eviction notice hearing has resumed following a lunch break and it is the turn if IGas to rebut the presentation made by representatives of the anti-fracking protesters this morning.

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Court to resume soon

The anti-fracking camp eviction notice hearing at Manchester County Court is due to get under way again at 2.15pm.

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Adjourned for lunch

The judge in the Upton anti-fracking camp eviction case has now adjourned the hearing until 2.15pm when we will hear the IGas rebuttal before a judgement is announced. Our live updates will continue when court resumes.

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Children's rights must be safeguarded

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Human rights

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'Street homeless'

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Place of dwelling

Lawyer representing the Upton anti-fracking camp argues it is entitled to protection in law as a place of ‘dwelling’

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'Insufficient notice'

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Anti-frackers out in force

More than 65 anti-fracking protesters are now inside the courtroom at Manchester County Court to hear the eviction notice application.

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Tacit agreement

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Eviction notice hearing continues

Strong and passionate arguments being made in court about Upton fracking camp

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Not 'exceptional circumstances'

Igas says the ‘mere fact children are on the land’ does not amount to ‘exceptional circumstances’ in Upton eviction case.

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MP plans to raise issue

Chester MP Chris Matheson says he plans to raise with Speaker in House his initial denied entry into Upton anti-fracking camp case

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Leaflet handed out

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Letters from camp residents

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