Serial squatters have taken over a Grade II listed Georgian mansion overlooking the Thames.

The group of eco-campaigners moved into Thames Ditton’s Home of Compassion on Saturday, October 16, claiming to offer security to the unused historic building.

The squatters, who include people involved in the occupation of Raven’s Ait island in Surbiton in February last year, claim they want to turn the building into a hub for the community with a nursery charity shop and summer fete.

Owner Caring Homes has already served an eviction notice on the squatters, due to be heard today.

But squatter Phoenix, who was one of those eventually evicted from Raven’s Ait, told the Elmbridge Guardian the group would leave when the company could ensure the building would be put to community use.

He said: “Call it an interim period. It will be maybe two years before Caring Homes will get the money to do something here.

“In the meantime, we are the caretakers here.”

Reaction from the Thames Ditton residents has been mixed, but Phoenix claimed most of the villagers they had spoken to had been open-minded.

Keith Evetts, from Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents’ Association, said: “We can’t condone unlawful occupation of others’ property, but we do hope while the squatters are there, they will care for the Home of Compassion better than the owners have done.”

However, another resident who posted on the Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents’ Association forum said: “Facts are facts, however you try to dress it up under some sort of eco-warrior, save the earth banner.

“They broke into a building that doesn’t belong to them and are now squatting there.

“Yes, it’s an old building. Yes, it had been vandalised. Yes, we would all like to see it restored but, and it’s a big but, it doesn’t belong to them.”

A spokesman for Caring Homes said: “Caring Homes remains utterly committed to providing a flagship residential care development for the elderly at the Home of Compassion.

“We are sure people will understand that in these difficult economic times we cannot pursue our redevelopment plans to the next stage until it is the right and prudent moment to do so.

“Caring Homes enjoys excellent links with the community and will continue to stay in close contact with residents over the coming weeks and months.”The 65-bedroom property in High Street has been used as a care home since the 19th century.

Owner Caring Homes bought the building to use as a care home before the economic crises in September 2008.

A lack of funding to carry out the project has meant it has stood empty since then, leaving it vulnerable to both vandals and lead thieves.

The squatters have spent the past two weeks “getting to know their neighbours” and have made a list of potential activities they would like to hold in the grounds of the building.

These include running a gym, opening a nursery and charity shop and re-establishing the village’s summer fete.

Phoenix said: “Traditionally, this place has already been used for the poor, the needy and the elderly. Most people who squat are poor and needy.”

He claimed their occupation was legal, because they did not use any force to enter the building.

The Home of Compassion consists of a main house, a former chapel and a priory.

A century ago, Boyle Farm – the home of Catherine Boyle Walsingham – was bought by a former churchwarden of Thames Ditton parish church who sold the house to Anglican Nuns of the Order of the Sisters of the Compassion of Jesus.

The squatters have invited residents of Thames Ditton and Weston Green to have a cup of tea with them during an open day between 2pm and 8pm on Friday, October 29.