DEFIANT occupiers who have carved out a flourishing market garden in the shadow of Heathrow Airport celebrated yesterday after bailiffs failed to show up to evict them.

Around 200 people answered an appeal from residents of the Grow Heathrow site and arrived prepared to peacefully defend the community space against the threatened onslaught.

Locals had hatched plans to hamper bailiffs with underground tunnels and lock-ons as the media swarmed at the gates of the site.

Grow Heathrow resident Cameron Richardson said the morning was “a mixture of excitement and apprehension.”

“We were ready to peacefully resist using lock-on and peaceful manpower stopping them coming through the gate.”

The air of anticipation turned to celebration when the 8.30am eviction deadline backed by the Court of Appeal passed.

Instead the owner of the land, businessman Imran Malik, made a solo visit to the site.

He has faced mounting pressure to hold discussions with residents who have offered to buy the plot, which was derelict until four years ago when the squatters moved in to establish the community project.

Local Labour MP John McDonnell yesterday voiced his concern with a direct appeal for talks to resolve the issue amicably.

Mr Richardson said of Mr Malik: “We're hopeful that in the next few days and weeks that he'll come and talk to us and start an adult conversation.”

Mr McDonnell has backed opposition to possible Heathrow expansion that threatens to wipe out swathes of land in the area — something which Grow Heathrow residents say they are also preparing to resist.

“This could have potentially been a foretaste for what might happen if a third runway at Heathrow is granted,” said Mr Richardson.

Other members of the local community turned out in solidarity with the market garden squatters.

Tracey Howard from the under-threat nearby village of Sipson said: “I’ve been fighting for no third runway for the last 14 years and this is another cog to our wheel of the battle we've been fighting.

“We want to keep our village so anything that is offering support is a benefit to anybody.”