Colliers Wood Resistance
Theo Cuppier | 09.02.2004 20:30 | Education | Free Spaces | Social Struggles | London
I found this in the Wimbledon Guardian:-
" Squatters defy eviction
By Matt Rickard
A derelict primary school in Colliers Wood has become a battleground between eco-squatters who want to preserve it and developers who want to turn it into housing.
A highly organised band of eco-squatters took up residence in Harland First School in Brangwyn Crescent following Merton Council's decision in January to sell the land to property developers Kings Oak Homes, part of the giant Barratt group.
On Monday, police and bailiffs moved in to remove the squatters but were prevented when many, including local children, barricaded themselves on the roof.
The squatters claim they are protecting the school for future generations and have been forced to take the action as the land is protected by a covenant that forbids any other use other than education.
They have been running the school as a learning establishment since Christmas Day and more than a dozen local children regularly use the facilities, including a fully-equipped computer area.
To force them out, a representative from Kings Oak Homes entered the building and disabled the electrical circuits. The water was also turned off.
A representative of the squatters, who call themselves Alternate Energies seven homeless people dedicated to preserving educational and social spaces and would only give his name as Dave, denied they were troublemakers.
"We have cleaned this site up and are only interested in ensuring it is preserved as an educational and social space.
"We will be suing Kings Oak Homes for criminal negligence as the school was left in a highly dangerous state, with exposed live cables everywhere."
A spokesman for Kings Oak Homes denied this, saying local electrical suppliers EDF Energy had since checked that the school was safe.
"As the legal owner of this site, Kings Oak has taken the issue of responsibility in respect of health and safety very seriously."
Howard Joy, Merton's acting property management and review manager said the school had been identified as surplus in the council's schools reorganisation project. It closed on August 31 and was sold to Kings Oak on January 5.
He refused to make further comment.
Wimbledon guardian 10:15am Friday 6th February 2004"
" Squatters defy eviction
By Matt Rickard
A derelict primary school in Colliers Wood has become a battleground between eco-squatters who want to preserve it and developers who want to turn it into housing.
A highly organised band of eco-squatters took up residence in Harland First School in Brangwyn Crescent following Merton Council's decision in January to sell the land to property developers Kings Oak Homes, part of the giant Barratt group.
On Monday, police and bailiffs moved in to remove the squatters but were prevented when many, including local children, barricaded themselves on the roof.
The squatters claim they are protecting the school for future generations and have been forced to take the action as the land is protected by a covenant that forbids any other use other than education.
They have been running the school as a learning establishment since Christmas Day and more than a dozen local children regularly use the facilities, including a fully-equipped computer area.
To force them out, a representative from Kings Oak Homes entered the building and disabled the electrical circuits. The water was also turned off.
A representative of the squatters, who call themselves Alternate Energies seven homeless people dedicated to preserving educational and social spaces and would only give his name as Dave, denied they were troublemakers.
"We have cleaned this site up and are only interested in ensuring it is preserved as an educational and social space.
"We will be suing Kings Oak Homes for criminal negligence as the school was left in a highly dangerous state, with exposed live cables everywhere."
A spokesman for Kings Oak Homes denied this, saying local electrical suppliers EDF Energy had since checked that the school was safe.
"As the legal owner of this site, Kings Oak has taken the issue of responsibility in respect of health and safety very seriously."
Howard Joy, Merton's acting property management and review manager said the school had been identified as surplus in the council's schools reorganisation project. It closed on August 31 and was sold to Kings Oak on January 5.
He refused to make further comment.
Wimbledon guardian 10:15am Friday 6th February 2004"
Theo Cuppier
Comments
Display the following 2 comments