Courtroom seven was packed with supporters of an ’off-grid’ campaigner who is facing an eviction battle.

Dan Richardson lives in a self-built wooden cabin in Nut Glen on the outskirts of Ramsey, where he grows his own food, uses river water and has spent years cleaning up the woodland.

He was nominated for a Unesco biosphere award but now faces a court battle to avoid being made homeless.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has served him a planning enforcement notice and a court summons as it begins possession proceedings.

At a directions hearing before Deemster John Needham yesterday (Monday), Mr Richardson revealed he had been refused legal aid.

’I’m not deemed worthy of legal aid as I’m seen as a hopeless case,’ he told the court.

He said he would be calling a number of witnesses for his defence including DEFA Minister Geoffrey Boot and David Cretney MLC, a political member of the DEFA.

A two-day trial in the civil court has been set for April 2 and 3 next year.

Mr Richardson said: ’It would be nice to know over Christmas where I stand. There will be a bit of ambiguity over Christmas - it might be a little traumatic.’

Among Mr Richardson’s large band of supporters was one man who entered the court barefoot.

Representing the DEFA was advocate Kieron Murray.

Mr Needham asked Mr Richardson to file a defence by December 16, with the DEFA given to January 6 to file a reply.

’Are you going to be suggesting the land isn’t owned by the department?’ the Deemster asked. Mr Richardson replied that this would be one of his lines of defence.

Witness statements should be filed by the DEFA by January 27 and by the defendant by February 10.

The parties should file any skeleton arguments on points of law by March 16.

Asked where documents should be served, Mr Richardson explained he has a postal address - Bwaane ny Cro (Manx for Nut Hut), Crossags in the parish of Maughold. ’The postman knows where my box is,’ he explained.

Mr Richardson has been living ’off grid’ for just over 18 months, in a home he built for a total cost of £77, with many materials and items donated to him by well-wishers.

Last week he told us that the hut became his ’solution to a potential homeless problem’ - and that his way of living is sustainable and should be promoted given the climate emergency declared by the government.

At the 2019 biosphere awards, Mr Richardson was praised by Environment Minister Mr Boot for his sustainable lifestyle. But the DEFA claims that the land he is living on infringes onto the department’s land by 3m, which it said means he is living there as a trespasser.

However, Mr Richardson said that, despite several trips to the Land Registry, it had not been possible to determine who actually owned the land before the DEFA started its moves to evict him.

Among those in court to support him were Garff MHK Daphne Caine.

Mr Richardson says he has removed tons of scrap metal and other rubbish from Nut Wood, helped with installing fencing to protect it from grazing livestock and planted numerous native species of plants and trees.

Mr Richardson said if he loses in court, he will become homeless and reliant on government support.

’I’ve never taken a penny from the state and I don’t want or need financial assistance or a flat in town,’ he said.

Mr Richardson admits he may be described as an ’oddball’ but argues that ’more people should be encouraged to live like me, semi- sustainable and caring for the environment’.