Oxford University squat conference - today's eviction drives coach & horses through law

[Tony Gosling]

Hi all,
Just heard that Oxford University issued papers for an immediate 
court case at lunchtime today which was impossible for squatters to 
get to at 30 mins notice and are evicting squatters as we speak.
Trying to scupper this weekend's housing conference (alternative 
venues being arranged).
http://www.houseofthecommons.org
Using an IPO yet haven't used the building for years and don't intend to.
As well as an injunction.
Using the most expensive lawyers in the country.
Tony

Squat needs to spark a wider debate about city housing

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/11520186.Squat_needs_to_spark_a_wider_debate_about_city_housing/
First published 10:00 Wednesday 8 October 2014 in 
<http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/11520186.Squat_needs_to_spark_a_wider_debate_about_city_housing/http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/>New
IT IS beyond question that there is an issue about a lack of homes 
and logical to draw the conclusion that empty houses and buildings 
could go a little way towards addressing that.
It is also good that campaigners such as those now occupying the old 
power station opposite Osney Island should press to keep the problem 
in the public eye.
But there are question marks about what squatting in the building for 
a few days will actually achieve.
When undertaking protests of this kind there should be a clearly 
defined objective.
And in this instance, without trying to knock the campaign, there is 
a concern about what will be achieved.
The plan is for some talks and then to leave after a few days.
The danger is that these talks will be, we fear, just preaching to 
the converted. If those result only in some grave nodding of heads 
then what has been the point?
It's not as though the old power station realistically is an example 
of an empty, crumbling building that could be turned into affordable 
homes for families.
Hopefully, though, it may be the spark of a serious debate elsewhere 
because the issue needs tackling.
We have said many times that the city's health depends on 
accommodating for all sectors of society.
We can't have a city where we expect people to simply live out in the 
market towns and faithfully traipse into the city for their lower-paid jobs.


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