A BOURNEMOUTH Council bid to evict Occupy protesters from an empty arts centre was adjourned on Tuesday afternoon.

Demonstrators from the movement have taken up residence in the Boscombe Centre for Community Arts (BCCA), which could be part demolished and redeveloped as affordable housing. Members of the Occupy Bournemouth and Occupy Boscombe groups camped outside the County Court yesterday to show support for their colleagues inside.

Katherine Edgar from the Friends of the BCCA, which wants to save the building for the community, said: “The judge adjourned the case until April 2 for more evidence from both sides – so we have another month.”

Gary Sherborne, a Boscombe resident and member of Occupy, said: “I am hoping they will only make rulings when the covenants for the site are produced.”

The council closed the BCCA in 2007, saying it was too expensive to repair. It has been gifted to Bournemouth 2026, which has applied for planning permission for 11 affordable homes.

Mr Sherborne added: “We definitely need affordable housing in the area but not on that side of Boscombe.”