More than 50 protesters gathered outside Kingston County Court as the borough’s only commune and the landlords facing them with eviction met in court for the first time this week.

Surrey Comet:

CRC members were joined outside the court by residents from their sister community, Islington Park

The Crescent Road Community (CRC) residents, who have lived in three large detached houses in Coombe Hill for 37 years, learned they would be able to stay in their homes until at least early next year during the 35-minute court hearing on Tuesday.

But chants of “One Housing are wrong” and “Save Crescent Road” could be heard from inside the courtroom in St James Road as protesters banged drums and tambourines outside for the first judicial clash between the pair.

Social housing landlord One Housing Group (OHG) says it needs the property back to provide for the most needy, but the community has argued it is being forced out to make way for profitable housing.

Paul Ridge, of Bindmans LLP, is representing all but one of the commune residents. After the hearing he said: “In 20 years of housing law I have never seen a community like this. People have been there for almost 40 years and I think they are telling us something about how to live now.

“This community is unique and I think it is worth fighting for.”

CRC members were joined outside the court by residents from their sister community, Islington Park Street (IPS), who are also facing eviction. Following the court hearing CRC residents released a joint statement.

They said: “OHG claim group homes like Crescent Road Community put the housing association in breach of its regulatory obligations and they must be phased out.

“The community have asked OHG to halt possession proceedings and to enter into dialogue to attempt to resolve the concerns that have been raised.”

There are currently 24 people, including three children and a pregnant woman, living in the commune.

CRC has received support from North Kingston MP Zac Goldsmith and council leader Kevin Davis plus celebrity endorsements from the likes of Russell Brand and Josie Long.

A One Housing spokesman said: “We regret we are having to take this course of action, but we have attempted many times, over 10 years, to work with residents to make sure we meet our legal obligations as a social landlord.”