One of Britain's oldest pubs that has served regulars for 928 years battles caravan site next door whose owners are using squatters' rights in bid to grab disputed land

One of Britain's oldest pubs is at the centre of a land row after the owners of a neighbouring caravan site were accused of launching a 'grab' for part of its land.

The Fleur De Lys in the picturesque village of Pilley in the Hampshire New Forest has been serving customers since 1096.

But in a new move that has sparked anger with local residents, the owners of the mobile home park next door are now claiming 'squatters' rights' for part of the site.

The row centres around the space on either side of the road leading to the caravan park opposite the thatched roofed pub - which boasts it is the oldest in the New Forest.

Locals fear the land grab could see more caravans installed on land they say has been used by the inn's clientele since the 11th century and lead to the loss of a vital 'village amenity'.

Historically, the land has been used as a car park for the pub but also for events at the nearby primary school and village hall.

But the Land Registry does not have anyone registered as legally owning the plot.

Now Kathleen and Charles Fitzgerald, owners of the mobile home park, have applied for legal ownership of the land on their side, claiming they have a right to own it through adverse possession.

Adverse possession means someone can claim legal ownership of the land after continuously using it for a period of time, typically around ten years.

Neighbours in Pilley, where homes sell for up to £1.3 million, have objected to their application to the Land Registry.

They say the land is actually already owned by the Fleur De Lys pub and councillors are concerned that the pub could be left without any dedicated parking.

Councillor Alison Bolton, who has lived in the New Forest for 50 years, said: 'There is very strong feeling about it from everybody, it has always been part of the car park for the pub.

'It would leave them with only roadside parking, this is a very old pub.

'Mobile homes would be put up on that land and that is not the right thing to do.'

The Fleur De Lys has operated since 1096 and has a list of landlords dating back to 1498, making it one of the oldest pubs in the United Kingdom.

Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald took over the running of the neighbouring mobile home park, also called the Fleur De Lys, in 2016 and installed a sign saying that parking on one side of the car park was 'strictly' for the caravan site.

Locals say the owners have parked their own cars and a trailer full of debris in the spaces.

Nearby residents said Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald also park some of their five cars on the side of the land explicitly reserved for the pub car park.

Boldre Parish Council have submitted an objection to the application and several councillors have raised concerns that it would be 'a real loss' for the village and that more mobile homes could be built on the land.

Jo Humphreys, a fellow councillor who has lived in Sandy Down for 40 years, added that the car park is a 'village amenity' used for events.

'It is of great concern locally,' the 75 year old said.

'There has always been a view that was crown land or belonging to the pub and it would be a real loss to the village if it was grabbed, as seems to be happening.

'I think there is a very strong feeling locally to object to the application.

'It is not just for the patrons of the pub, traditionally it has been used as overflow parking for the primary school if they have events and the village hall.

'It is a village amenity and the pub has been generous in allowing it to be used, if this land was lost it would have a huge impact on the village.

'There is a concern that if the park were to successfully gain the land they would probably put more caravans on it.

'It is a great worry to everyone.'

Other Pilley residents, who did not want to be named, also said they hoped the application wasn't granted.

Locals have also reported previous altercations with the couple and they caused a stir earlier this year when New Forest District Council retroactively granted them permission for a twelfth mobile home on the site.

The caravan park owners have declined to comment on their application.

Councillor Paula Keen said: 'The owners of the mobile home park are trying to have the right to park cars on that area.

'People using the pub have always parked there.

'I hope it does not go through, the pub has been there since the 11th Century.'

Stonegate Group, who own the pub, have been contacted for comment.