Activists are to be evicted from their camp at a former school.

A group of protesters occupying the vacant St Anne's School in Rotten Row, Lewes, were told by a judge yesterday they will have to leave the land.

Judge Richard Hayward granted East Sussex County Council power to clear them from the site at Brighton County Court - but criticised the local authority for leaving it empty.

He ruled the order should come into force on May 25 after hearing people living there would need time to take down their camp.

After the judgement, he told council officers in the courtroom: “I suggest East Sussex County Council start making some plans for these premises.

“Leaving them derelict for years on end, no wonder people grumble.”

The council later said it plans to consider a community use for the site after the campers leave.

At least 15 people are understood have been living in the grounds at any one time since Easter.

Activists originally took over the former special needs school for a “climate camp”.

The occupation captured the imagination of some people in Lewes, who under the name “St Anne's Diggers” took the site over earlier this month.

They believe the council intends to sell the site for development.

A number of suggestions have been put forward for the site, including allotments and a recreation area.

Councillor Ian Eiloart, who represents Lewes Priory on Lewes District Council, gave evidence for the campers.

He said: “I have an interest in the potential amenity of the site, which has been neglected for the last seven years, for local residents.”

Judge Hayward granted the order but criticised the council.

He said: “It may well be said that public authorities who abandon buildings and do not put them to good use are inviting others to find a use for those premises.”

Jeanette Taylor, representing the camp, said she did not know if bailiffs would face opposition from the campers.

A spokesman for the council said the “depressed” property market meant the site was unlikely to be sold soon even though it was “surplus to requirements”.

He said: “We have no current plans to demolish the building and no immediate plans to sell the site but we are very concerned about the safety of the building as well as other environmental damage being caused by the occupation.”