A HOUSEBOAT owner is on a collision course with council bosses after vowing not to move on despite their bid to evict him.

Gregory Park insists he will stay put on his floating home in the face of a legal ruling by a district judge.

He disputes the council’s ownership of the land and claims other boats have been allowed to use the mooring.

City council chiefs are now preparing to serve a formal eviction notice.

Southampton County Court heard how Park secured his 63ft blue and cream boat called Coot at a site known as the Mudlands next to Cobden Bridge on July 2.

Solicitor Claire Elton, representing the council, told the court: “He didn’t have any consent or licence from the council to do so and there were complaints from local residents about him being moored there.”

Park, who lives on the ageing vessel with his three dogs, argued that two other boats are also moored at the same site.

He claims documents registered with the Land Registry by the council in 2007 failed to recognise boats have used the spot since the 1960s – and demanded the authority proved it owns the land.

He told the court: “It doesn’t prove ownership – it proves they registered it.

“My intention is to stay until all controversy in this matter has been resolved.”

However, district judge John Sparrow ruled the documents were adequate evidence.

He said: “This boat has no permission to be there and I have no alternative in English law than to pass a possession order.” He also ordered Park to pay £175 in costs within 14 days.

After the hearing, Mr Park, 36, said: “I’m not going to move.

“Everyone knows me as a river man – I don’t cause any problems.

“We are a community and everybody loves the boats being there.”

Mr Park revealed that he eventually wanted his girlfriend and her two children to move in with him on the boat.

A city council spokeswoman said the authority was preparing to serve an eviction notice.

She added: “We are aware that there are other houseboats moored on the Mudlands, but each of their circumstances are different.

“Every case is investigated on its merits and action is taken on a case by case basis, where it is appropriate to do so, and we as a council are not able to comment on those individual cases.

“We can consider an application for a licence for a boat to be moored on the land and each application will be looked at individually.”

Neighbours were divided over whether Mr Park should be allowed to remain on the Mudlands.

Terry Dyer, of Dyer Bros Marine Ltd, which is on the opposite side of river, said: “I can't say I like a wreck like that outside my window but people need somewhere to live.

“He's a nice enough chap and he's easy going but he's got dogs that bark a lot and it upsets the residents.”

A pensioner living in Priory Avenue, which backs on to the river, said Mr Park had damaged a fence when he secured his vessel.

The man, who did not want to be named, added: “He isn't respectful of people and he needs to do the things the proper way.”