Fifty squatters take over Bristol mansion

[Gerrard Winstanley]

Fifty squatters take over mansion

Work had been due to create eight flats worth £500,000 each

A group of about 50 squatters have moved into a multi-million pound mansion in Bristol and claim they are "looking after" the empty property.

The squatters, including children, took over the Grade II listed building six days ago after climbing through a window which had been left open.

The former maternity hospital, in Clifton, was bought in 2008 by property developer Jason Birakos for £3m.

Mr Birakos is now seeking a court order to remove the squatters.

Workers had been due to start converting the building into eight two-bedroomed apartments with a value of about £500,000 each.

Professional squatter

Mr Birakos is also planning to build three houses, worth £1m each, on the site at the corner of Mortimer Road and Clifton Down Road.

One of the squatters, Miriam Green, said: "We live in a damp country and a lot of properties, especially really old beautiful stone buildings like this - when they're left like this with nobody living in them - become damp.
Squatters left a note on the door
The squatters left a note on the door

"Living in it keeps it warm - we are actually looking after the place - it's like having your own live-in security."

Jake Eisenstein, 27, who described himself as a "professional squatter" said: "We got in through an open window, there was no forced entry.

"We are against corporate expansion in our communities and the privatisation of social space. We believe in taking it back with our own hands."

Jason Birakos, who owns the building, said: "I feel extremely annoyed and frustrated at the legislation in place, which prevents us from protecting our own property.

"Given that we are property developers and have had to go through the proper legislative channels - it has been extremely expensive and very arduous."

Squatting is legal if entry to an empty property has not been by force and no criminal damage has been committed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7943495.stm



Squatters move in to £3million home and tell owners: 'We'll call the law if you try to evict us'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1161753/Squatters-3million-home-tell-owners-Well-law-try-evict-us.html

Dozens of squatters have taken over a £3million mansion – and are threatening to prosecute the owners if they try to remove them.

A gang of 40 artists climbed through an open window and are living rent free in the Grade II listed building in Bristol, playing music and huddling around electric heaters.

The squatters claim it is a criminal offence to remove them and they are doing the owners a favour by keeping the building warm and dry.
squatters in Bristol

A gang of 40 squatters have taken over listed Mortimer House in Bristol

Squatting is legal if entry to an empty property is not forced and there is no criminal damage. But the squatters can be removed if the owners get a court order.

Owner Jason Birakos was visiting the four-storey Mortimer House in the suburb of Clifton, when he spotted posters on the door and was told by the squatters that they wouldn't leave.

One notice said: `We live in this property, it is our home and we intend to stay here. The section 6 is a legal document making it an offence - illegal - for you to try and enter by force and anyway we'd much rather talk to you.'

One squatter, Miriam said: `We have occupied this property because we want to highlight issues of homelessness.

'Buildings like this get damp damage and we keep them warm - it is like having your own live-in security.

'We have agreed to leave on Monday morning. We have swept the floor and tidied up and we will leave it tidier than we found it.'

Mr Birakos, who represents AGM City Space Investments Limited, has vowed to take legal action if they are not out by Monday.

He said: `They claim they entered through an open window but I'm absolutely positive the whole property was secure and windows boarded up for insurance purposes.

`The whole situation is extremely frustrating. My hands are tied right now but if they're there on Monday morning I'll seek legal advice and get them out.'

`It's a very intricate building with some marvellous features and I'm worried there will be damage caused by their presence.'

The building used to be a hospital and is due to be converted into a luxury £7million apartment block.

Squatters delayed an affordable housing scheme by taking over a home in the St Paul's area of Bristol in November.

In January squatters took over an empty £22.5million mansion in London's Park Lane. They were evicted five days later after an order was granted to the owners.