The tents for the homeless protest in the woods off Heathgate by Mousehold Common. Picture: Denise Bradley
Council vow to remove ‘protest’ camp on Norwich’s Mousehold Heath
Stephen Pullinger
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
9:55 AM
Court action could be taken by council bosses to move on a makeshift camp which has set up on the edge of Norwich’s Mousehold Heath.
About a dozen protesters put up five tents in Heathgate on Monday night, but their spokesman, who wished to remain anonymous, said the demonstration could grow and the encampment would be centred on Mousehold Heath itself.
Clare Cohen, a spokesman for the voluntary community group Mousehold Defenders, said: “It would be disappointing if this plan goes ahead as Mousehold Heath... was originally created to provide an area of free recreation for the poorer of Norwich.
“Mousehold Heath is not a campsite and any person or persons attempting to camp on Mousehold Heath, however well intentioned they feel their reasons are, would be in violation of the Mousehold Heath Bylaws of the Norwich City Council Act 1984.”
It is understood that some of the protesters were taking part in the Occupy Norwich camp on Hay Hill until it broke up last week, ahead of a visit by council bailiffs.
Their spokesman said the camp’s aim was to highlight homelessness issues. He said the number of tents was set to multiply and their demonstration, which was well organised, would be “huge” in the coming days.
But a Norwich City Council spokeswoman said the campers were trespassing and court action would be taken to move them.
She said: “This is a case of trespass on council land and the council will need to take appropriate steps to remove those camping on the land without permission.
“This will involve an application to court in order for the council to remove the trespassers and repossess the land. We have already prepared the necessary court papers which we expect to action without delay.”
The Occupy Norwich campsite, which had been in Hay Hill for four months in a protest against capitalism. was completely cleared yesterday. The city council had gained a possession order on Monday.
Latest News
- Evening News appeal to raise money for East Anglian Air Ambulance
- Science project at Ormiston Victory Academy works on climate change with US school
- Opportunist thief steals cash in Diss takeaway
- Health and social care watchdog Norfolk LINk invites public to AGM
- 27th Norwich Rainbows celebrate their 10th anniversary
Other News Articles
- Queen Street bank robbery accused in Norwich Magistrates’ Court
- Evening News appeal to raise money for East Anglian Air Ambulance
- Science project at Ormiston Victory Academy works on climate change with US school
- New campaign to reduce cancer cases in Norfolk and Waveney
- Your iwitness24 photos from the weekend
- Norwich driver caught over drink limit hours after ending binge
- Norwich cannabis grower fined £100 by magistrates
- Norwich-born businessman Matthew Newbury to appear on tonight’s Secret Millionaire programme
- Norwich Samaritans offered a listening ear to those in need 37,000 times in a year
- Charity dog show to return to Costessey, near Norwich
18 comments
Maybe people who are waiting for housing repair should camp outside of City Hall. Mind you probably the tents would be in better accommodation than the Councils housing stock. Well tents do not need scaffolding poles !
Report this comment
chebram71
Sunday, February 26, 2012
I was very sad to see Carol's comment "There are always going to be people who have a lot, and the rest of us who have enough to live on and no more, but that's how it's always been through history." As long as we think we can't change anything, the rich and powerful will carry on laughing at us. They are the only ones who benefit from keeping things the way they are. What would have happened if the East Germans who tore down the Berlin Wall in 1989 had said "We can't change anything"? What if all those who fought to abolish slavery had said "We can't change anything"? What if the suffragettes had shrugged their shoulders and said "We can't change anything"? Things can change for the better, but only when we break free from the conditioning that society drums into us from birth.
Report this comment
Phil Grimes
Saturday, February 25, 2012
oh give them a break! Its not like they are gypsies (sorry travellers) who go around trashing the place and leaving everywhere looking like a dump. If they are like the ones on the haymarket, they will keep the area clean. As long as they do, what harm are they doing to people?
Report this comment
markt74
Thursday, February 23, 2012
@ingo - Do you live near there? Do you know people who live near there? I do and there isn't much support for them.
Report this comment
Whiley Boy
Thursday, February 23, 2012
What are they protesting against? Alsatians?
Report this comment
robotsthatcare
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Shirley, the great unwashed should take their protest to City halls steps. This nuLabour hub, along with their hierarchy of the last government, done more harm in knocking down thousands of perfectly good housing via their ill thought out Pathfinder regeneration scheme....nuLabour, unfit for every purpose.
Report this comment
nrg
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Perhaps if the City Council has taken appropriate action when the Hay Hill camp was first set up, then this lot would not have even THOUGHT of setting up on Mousehold Heath. They are assuming they will be there weeks before any action is taken, and they are probably right. I bet if I were to set up MY tent on public land, the police and council would soon be there, telling me to clear off or else.... I don't believe half these people are homeless. They are just professional troublemakers who jump on the latest bandwagon. You can see them at any demonstration. As soon as things quieten down, they'll be off to support their next 'good cause'. And who pays for all the legal action and clear up? The likes of ME, who has worked all my life and paid my taxes, so the government can use MY money to support these people. They sure as hell are not supporting themselves are they, so they must be getting benefits from somewhere to feed themselves, buy tents etc! They should stop wasting everyone's time and GET A JOB like the rest of us. There are always going to be people who have a lot, and the rest of us who have enough to live on and no more, but that's how it's always been through history. We'll never own our own home, or have expensive holidays, but we're content with what we've got. A few idle moaners are not going to change the world, they just make the rest of us angry when we see them living off OUR earnings. I know people who have to do two cleaning jobs to make ends meet. They're not complaining. They do whatever work is available and hold their heads up. And good for them, I admire them for what they do to help themselves and their families. If I lost my current job, I'd do the same, not set up a protest camp! 'Help those that try to help themselves' is a good ethic to live by, not 'lets have a protest and get looked after by the benefits agency'!!
Report this comment
Carol Bolton
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
ingoballenmarty..I wonder why the council want to move these Professional Victims on,as it seems they have a right to camp on Mousehold Heath,and I wonder why local residents object ? I would bet ,odds on, that if a random survey was made with the Council Tax Payer,it no doubt would be ,remove them immediately.though again why.
Report this comment
Albert Cooper
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
@Stevejo This camp is not associated with Occupy Norwich. It is its own protest about homelessness Occupy Norwich have moved on to new things and while im sure they support the plight of the homeless they are not directly involved with this.
Report this comment
spamfish
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Andy T and kevin bacon must have some inside information or actually be a vital part of the protests, how else could they know about their personal financial situations. Tell us Andy, how many of the 'about a dozen' are on benefit? how do you know they take drugs? Did you ever bunk off school or faked an illness to stay with mum? Whjat do you know about homeless people at all? Did you know that many are ex forces, people who stood up for this country? NO, just voicing your prejudices. What of those million plus young unemployed who can't find homes, those desperate to start their own life's, who can't afford extortionate houseprices? all benefit scroungers and drug takers are they?
Report this comment
ingo wagenknecht
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Why don't the council offer them some proper accommodation ... say a few hundred yards up the road at HM Prison? Move these reprobates asap! Kindest Regards, Whiley.
Report this comment
Whiley Boy
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Take the cost of removing them and their rubbish out of their benefits.
Report this comment
kevin bacon
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Jballan. Did the rich make them drink? Take drugs? Get divorced? Bunk off school? It’s because of our taxes, they can get benefit. Whilst a few people really are in need, the majority have just dropped out. People have to take responsibility for their own actions. Cause and effect! You really have no clue.
Report this comment
Andy T
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
What a surprise, the 'occupy norwich' protestors have now decided to start a protest about homelessness. What next, the cost of tinned peas, toilet paper....Once again it will be the hard working taxpayer like myself, who has to foot the bill for the legal cost to evict these useless, layabout parasites!
Report this comment
stevejo
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The legal definition of homelessness for England and Wales can be found in the 1996 Housing Act.[1] A person is homeless if: There is no accommodation that they are entitled to occupy; or They have accommodation but it is not reasonable for them to continue to occupy this accommodation. From the Crisis website
Report this comment
marty r
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Homeless ?????
Report this comment
Rorping
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Yes Albert, the rich who have caused these people to be homeless should pay for their own dirty work. The average taxpayer shouldn't.
Report this comment
jballen
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Who pays for all the legal expenses ? without doubt it will be the Norwich Council Tax Payer !
Report this comment
Albert Cooper
Wednesday, February 22, 2012