South London Squatted School Defies Eviction Attempt

[Mark Brown]

South London Squatted School Defies Eviction Attempt


News from SchNEWS about the failed eviction attempt against the autonomous 
squatted school in Colliers Wood, south London.

http://www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news441.htm


Ever daydream during one of those long, boring school lectures on the 
periodic table and King What’s-his-face the 10th that something interesting 
would actually happen at yer school?

Like the school closing down, for instance, and then becoming a battleground 
between squatters who want to turn it into a space for alternative energies 
projects and a community centre for local kids, and developers who want to 
turn it into yet another soulless housing estate?? Well, that’s exactly 
what’s happened at an abandoned primary school in South London.

The squatters took up residence in Harland First School in Colliers Wood 
last autumn following the local Council’s decision to close the school in 
August and sell the land to property developers Kings Oak Homes, part of the 
giant Barratt group. Kings Oak Homes want to demolish the school and build 
thousands of ugly, poorly-constructed, identical boxes.

The squatters, on the other hand, have been running the school as a social 
centre and free space since Christmas, with more than a dozen local children 
regularly using the facilities, including a fully-equipped computer area. 
The group, which calls itself Alternate Energies, say they want to protect 
the school for future generations and have been forced to take action as the 
land is protected by a covenant that forbids any use other than education. 
In court this winter, however, the covenant was dismissed by a judge who 
ruled that now that Kings Oak Homes has bought the property, the company can 
do whatever they want with it.

On Monday, police and bailiffs moved in to remove the squatters but were 
prevented when many, including local children, barricaded themselves onto 
the roof, dancing in the face of the big heavies who’d come to turf them off 
their space.

To try and force them out, a representative from Kings Oak Homes entered the 
building and disabled the electrical circuits. The water was also turned 
off. But Alternate Energies is holding strong. A representative for the 
group named Dave told SchNEWS that the local area has no youth clubs or 
facilities for the local kids at all.

"We have cleaned this site up and are only interested in ensuring it is 
preserved as an educational and social space," says Dave.

The group is interested in getting more people down, people are who are 
interested in permaculture, alternative energies, and hard work.

If you’re interested in helping the group to save their space, contact Dave 
on 07986 465552.

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south london press? indymedia? does someone want to get down there?

previous report:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2004/02/285122.html

-----------

Squatters defy eviction
Friday 6th February 2004
By Matt Rickard
Wimbledon Guardian
http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/display.var.457445.0.0.php

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.

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