Similarly, abandoned buildings can be the arena for a squatter. They are making something useful out of what nobody has claimed or "called." Why not? I think it feels basic, wholesome, like how we cared for a piece of the earth long ago and by that virtue, that piece became our home.

Basically, if one can prove extended possession of a (normally vacant or unused) property for a set period of time, then that person is legally entitled to - and awarded - certain rights to that property.

Naturally, this runs counter to the current belief that property is money, which is why the piece linked to opffers up snarky comments about the squatter, though to be fair, there are equally snarky comments levelled at the new 'owner' of the grand house and his nouveau riche plans to tear it down and build a white trash lottery winners wet dream home - such is the nature of 'journalism' at the Daily Mail.

As to the squatters land now being worth £4million - that may well be the 'value', but it's extremely doubtful whether he can capitalise on that and will certainly be unable to sell it for what it's 'worth'...