Interesting article – amazingly balanced, even sympathetic in some parts (the reporter criticising the use of the word “parasites”) I cannot believe I am actually reading this from the South London Press (a mainstream newspaper!)

If council does come, we plan to resist, it’ll be peaceful but we will resist … Nov 25 2005

Exclusive

THE capital’s oldest squatted community could soon be no more. A council plans to demolish a row of squatted homes to make way for new social housing, writes Chief Reporter GREG TRUSCOTT…

ONCE again the wrecking ball looms over the Victorian rooftops of St Agnes Place in Kennington – said to be London’s oldest squatted street.

Lambeth council announced this month that it intends to demolish 21 of its properties there to build homes and a sports and leisure centre.

It says this will create affordable homes for around 200 people.

There are some 12,000 on the borough’s housing waiting list. Much has been made in the national press about the plight of the Rastafarian Temple in the street.

St Agnes Place has been described as a “Rasta enclave” in one report. But go there today and you’ll find people from all corners of the globe living side-by-side.

Lambeth confirmed this week that it had no plans to demolish the temple where reggae superstar Bob Marley was a visitor in the 70s.

A council that billed its festive lights switch-ons as “winter lights” rather than “Christmas lights” for fear of upsetting other faiths is not about to drive a wrecking ball through the home of a recognised religion.

But Lambeth has taken a hard line against the street’s squatters. Liberal Democrat executive member for housing, Councillor Keith Fitchett, has even described them as “parasites,” an unpleasant comment that has done little to warm people to the council’s case.

Lambeth has said it cannot let its tenants and council tax payers subsidise the squatters, claiming that at today’s levels, the estimated rent unpaid at St Agnes Place over the past three decades amounts to almost £4million.

The council has also said that unpaid rates, poll tax and council tax from the street is a much as £400,000.

It appears to be a clear cut argument, but there is another side.

For the 150 or so people that call the Victorian street home, it is a model community, a successful social experiment in co-operative living. On visiting the street it is easy to understand their argument.

St Agnes Place is a real community, a place where everyone knows everyone and who come together to help one and other out.

Those who live say they are not parasites, but people that have chosen an alternative lifestyle out of principle and necessity.

The row of houses which flank Kennington Park had lay derelict for more than 10 years prior to the first squatters taking occupancy in 1974. Over the years, successive council administrations have sought to remove the occupants.

In 1977, bulldozers and a wrecking ball demolished part of the street but squatters fought off total destruction.

“Certain elements of Lambeth council have been demonising St Agnes Place,” said Ram, a resident for more than two years.

“This vintage street has a strong community spirit. The rescue of these houses from dereliction in the 60s to the present day has been due to the efforts of the residents.”

He said the houses would have turned into “parkland” by now had the squatters not repaired them.

“St Agnes Place is proof that streets like this can exist as an alternative to urban living,” he said.

“Now suddenly the council has surreptitiously obtained possession orders on the basis of demolition.

“They are going to demolish the entire community with no official redevelopment plans in place.

“This ruthless haste is threatening to render more than 150 people homeless this winter, an obvious dismissal of basic human rights.”

Fellow resident Lorraine said many of them would have nowhere to go if the wrecking ball struck.

She said: “If they do come here we plan to resist but we have all agreed that it will be a peaceful resistance.

“I’ll just sit in my bedroom.

“We want to work with the council to find a solution to the situation but no one has consulted us.

“The council seems to think there is no solution other than to demolish this place but its such a waste of good housing.

“People who live here keep their homes to a decent standard and most of the buildings are structurally sound. We pay for our gas, electric and water. The people here look after one and other. We home vulnerable people who would otherwise have nowhere to go.

“People organise activities for young people. There are things like music classes for young people.”

Last month, Lambeth council obtained consent from the Government to demolish the 21 buildings.

It will now ask the police and High Court Sheriffs to assist the eviction and demolition which is likely to involve hundreds of officers.

A spokesman said: “Lambeth council has a responsibility to all of its 40,000 lawful tenants, as well as the 12,000 people on the housing waiting list in the borough, many of whom are looking for re-housing.

“Lambeth is of the strong opinion that council tenants and council tax payers should not be subsidising squatters who refuse to pay rent, or those who refuse to pay council tax.

“Lambeth intends to redevelop the area around St Agnes Place which suffers from high levels of crime and is in urgent need of regeneration.”

He said the replacement housing would be at least 75 per cent affordable and there were plans for an adventure playground and a sports centre with a swimming pool.

He said: “Lambeth council hopes for a peaceful eviction. Lambeth will provide alternative housing for occupants with dependent children or those who are vulnerable.”

Council leader, Liberal Democrat Councillor, Peter Truesdale said the 21 buildings had to be demolished. He said: “All options have been exhausted. The legal position is quite clear; we must now go on to providing new social housing and better sports facilities for local people.”

Whose side are you on here?

Write to South London Press, 2-4 Leigham Court Road, Streatham, SW16 2PD or email letters@slp.co.uk