Grot Vs Squat? continued Nottingham Council inaction on empty properties
Tash [alan lodge] | 16.07.2009 16:18 | Free Spaces | Social Struggles
BEFORE: New Squatting Project in Nottingham
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AFTER: Nottingham Squatting Project, The Tidy-Up
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It was within the first week, that the councils reaction was obvious, a notice to quit, and threatened eviction. Undeterred, you'll see in the pictures a great many folks put effort into renovation and tidying up. It transformed the place, and the immediate area.
Folks were there for 3 years. activities and events being arranged. Even got some local councilors and the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council dropping by at the ASBO for tea and a bun!
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It even got included in the community centres listing on the councils website, as if it was their provision! Cheeky bastards!!
People had left last year. The council now having care and responsibility over the place again. Passing by this week, I thought I would take this set of pictures to show what happens when empty building are in council care. NOTHING.
I think it criminal and in my opinion, they don't have any defence for inaction.
Reading the Evening Post, I was interested to read their article "Grot spot cannot be cleared up" Wednesday 15th July 2009. The article tells of a similar situation in Clifton and yet more inaction. I mean it's a widespread issue, innit?
Including this quote: "...... has written to the Government Office for the East Midlands to ask them to invoke a Public Request to Order Disposal. PRODs are a legal power that anybody can use to force the sale of publicly-owned empty homes or abandoned land in England and Wales".
"The power dates from the 1980 Local Government Planning & land Act. It enables anybody to request that the Secretary of State investigate why publicly-owned properties or land have been left empty.
Local Government Planning & land Act 1980
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PRODs - Public Request To Order Disposal
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I guess i include this lot for information on what is still a live issue. Also, being dissatisfied with the outcome of matters there> I wanna know if others think if this is a goer, to bring about more change and to pressure local authority into more action on housing issues.
Whatdoyathink?
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I have always though that the figures contained in these articles, provide the moral case for squatting:
BBC NEWS Hoarders blamed for home deficit 26 July 2005
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BBC NEWS Councils could seize empty homes 21 October 2005
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BBC NEWS New powers to seize empty homes 21 October 2005
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____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email:
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Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]
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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________
Tash [alan lodge]
e-mail:
tash@indymedia.org
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