Squatters campaigning against Heathrow expansion face down attempt to evict them as bailiffs fail to appear (and carry on picking blackberries)

• Squatters served with eviction notice a month ago; expected bailiffs today
• Landowner Imran Malik turned up, greeted by squatters and '200 supporters'
• MP John McDonnell urged Mr Malik to talk to squatters who want to buy land
• Grow Heathrow grows vegetables, repairs bikes and has own solar panels

By Paul Donnelley

Published: 13:23 EST, 15 August 2014 | Updated: 16:49 EST, 15 August 2014

Squatters fighting against the expansion of Heathrow have vowed to continue their sit-in on a plot of land after bailiffs failed to show up.

The protesters calling themselves Grow Heathrow have created a market garden at Sipson, Middlesex, which would be bulldozed if the airport succeeds in its campaign to build a third runway.

The group was served an eviction notice last month and expected bailiffs to enforce it this morning.

Protesters at Sipson near Heathrow make plain their views over how long they intend to prevent the expansion of the airport, They have been in situ for four years and were expecting to face bailiffs determined to evict them this morning but instead they were faced with the land owner Imran Malik

However, the owner of the land went alone and was met by the squatters and 'up to 200' supporters.

Grow Heathrow was set up on the land four years ago and the group threatened to dig tunnels and use locks to frustrate the expected eviction attempt.

Campaigners, some of whom live on the land, have been training in ways to prevent efforts to remove them.

Grow Heathrow was set up on the land near the airport four years ago and the group threatened to dig tunnels and use locks to frustrate the expected eviction attempt

The entrance to the squatters' camp at Sipson near Heathrow where they have been for four years

Laura Simpson (left), her father Cavan O'Connor (centre), and her son Owen (right) at the squatters' camp at Sipson in the shadow of Heathrow airport

The land is owned by businessman Imran Malik, and the decision to evict them was upheld in the Court of Appeal.

Today John McDonnell, the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, handed Mr Malik a letter urging him to discuss the issue with the residents, who want to buy the land.

Protesters claim he has so far not returned requests to talk about the land.

A resident guards the entrance to the squatters' camp at Sipson where protesters were expecting bailiffs this morning, having been served an eviction notice last month

Living room: This is one of the living areas at Grow Heathrow where the squatters rest and relax in between bouts of protest against a third runway at Heathrow

Cameron Richardson, a resident at Grow Heathrow, said: 'This morning was a mixture of excitement and apprehension because this could have potentially been a foretaste for what might happen if a third runway at Heathrow is granted.

'We were ready to peacefully resist using lock-on and peaceful manpower stopping them coming through the gate.

A mask hangs from a peg at Grow Heathrow at Sipson, near Heathrow Airport; Labour MP John McDonnell (right) wants the squatters to sit down with Imran Malik, who owns the land 

Activists eat at Grow Heathrow at Sipson, near Heathrow Airport where they have been holding a protest for four years against the expansion of the airport to three runways

Squatters at Grow Heathrow are protesting against the building of a third runway at the nearby airport 

The inside of Grow Heathrow at Sipson, Middlesex where protesters are resisting against a third runway being built at Heathrow Airport. The site, called Grow Heathrow has a meadow where the campaigners grow food to cook and they harvest their own energy supply with solar panels

'We're hopeful that in the next few days and weeks that he'll come and talk to us and start an adult conversation.

'I think we're still waiting to see if the bailiffs are going to come and we're ready for it but I'm hoping we're going to start a negotiation to buy this land and have a community-owned project for everybody.'

Grow Heathrow was set up to in 2010 in protest against the building of a third runway at Heathrow Airport

Two protesters play instruments on the roof of the Grow Heathrow site where they have solar panels to generate their own electricity. Squatters are resisting a third runway being built at Heathrow Airport

Tracey Howard, who lives in Sipson, said: 'I've been fighting for no third runway for the last 14 years and this is another cog to our wheel of the battle we've been fighting.

'We want to keep our village so anything that is offering support is a benefit to anybody.

'I would be lying if I said we couldn't get evicted off this land because we could, but I'm hopeful the land owner will talk to us about selling it.'

Grow Heathrow claimed that up to 200 locals joined the protest chanting and playing music, and dancing and singing.

The entrance to Grow Heathrow, which is a protest site where campaigners are resisting a third runway being built at Heathrow Airport. Bailiffs were expected to turn up this morning at 8am but did not show

The inside of one of the workshops at Grow Heathrow.  The squatters have a bike shed where they repair and sell bikes on a donation basis

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