Brassknocker squatters refuse to move

[Ecovillage Network UK]

PUB'S SQUATTERS REFUSE TO MOVE

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163490&command=displayContent&sourceNode=163316&contentPK=14288023&folderPk=89126

Squatters have moved into a derelict pub on the edge of Bath. The group of 
11 squatters have been living at the Viaduct Inn at the bottom of 
Brassknocker Hill at Monkton Combe for about three weeks.

But the group is now facing a court battle after they have been told to get 
out. The pub is owned by an investment company which wants to covert it 
into flats.

The landmark inn closed its doors for the last time last summer after its 
landlord, Phil Reid, sold it to London- based property developer Amek 
Investments.

Time was called at the pub at the end of June and the building was boarded 
up a few weeks later.

The group of squatters - who say they have been summoned to court tomorrow 
to face eviction - insist they are doing nothing wrong.

One of them, who gave his name as Chris, and appeared well versed on the 
rights of squatters, said: "We are using a building which is empty."

The 26-year-old, from Kent, added: "There are probably about 11 people who 
are permanent residents and our friends. There are no children here.

"We are hoping the court will decide we can stay here at least maybe a month.

"We are not actually annoying anyone by being here. We do create a lot of 
noise but fortunately all the windows are boarded up, which keeps the sound 
contained.

"We need somewhere to live."

Chris defended their occupation as a legal squat because he and his friends 
have been there for more than 36 hours.

Chris, who said he had a music degree, said the former pub was an ideal 
place for the group to be creative.

"We are constantly looking for empty buildings we can use for music and 
art," he said.

"There are a lot of creative people in this building. We make speakers, too."

Chris insisted he had spent about three days cleaning up.

"We have got electricity. It was on already when we got here. We made a 
note of the meter reading and we intend to pay for the electricity," he said.

Chris, who has been squatting for ten years, said that if they had to move 
out of the building, they would do so peacefully.

"We have found a few new places," he said. "The reason why we are in the 
countryside here is because we do not want to be in the city with all the 
people that go round robbing people and ripping people off."

The group said they would be happy to use the building until the middle of 
the summer, when they plan to travel to Europe to enjoy music festivals.

Another squatter, Joe, 22, said the building was "perfect".

"We are not keeping anyone up at night," he said.

"We are just poor and we need somewhere to be. We are peaceful people.

"We are all from different backgrounds and different life experiences.

"I will be so sad to leave."

Jade, who said she was 20 and from Bath, said the group had spent money 
trying to sort out the plumbing after a previous group of squatters had 
used the building.

She said she had been squatting "on and off" for more than two years, and 
had learned to play the guitar while living in the pub.

"I enjoy this lifestyle," she added.

Amek Investments, which was unavailable for comment, has submitted an 
application to Bath and North East Somerset Council to convert the pub into 
nine flats with parking spaces.

A decision has yet to be made on the application.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said the force had been notified 
that there were people in the premises.

The police will become involved if the squatters are told to get out and 
fail to do so.



see also
www.monktoncombe.com/poap/names/page16.htm

Portrait of a Parish - Page 16
Viaduct Inn

This inn is at the bottom of Brassknocker Hill and spans the corner of the 
junction of the hill with the A36 Bath to Warminster Road. Its garden 
overlooks the road and the "Clank" - the name given to the lane which was 
once the old railway line and now leads to Monkton Combe Mill, Monkton 
Combe School and the Village.
Now mainly used for Bed and Breakfast accommodation with passing trade 
(tourists and business people) popping in for some refreshments.

* The old brewery has now been converted into a house.
** October 2005. The Viaduct Inn has now closed its doors. A planning 
application has been submitted to turn the Inn into residential units.




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