Update (15/02/07): Tree felling and preparation work has started, and sporadic actions are taking places to try to block this work. More help is needed.
Update (06/02/07): The eviction took place on Tuesday 6th February. Bailiffs wearing balaclavas smashed their way in through a set of downstairs windows early in the morning, but it still took them several hours to clear the house after one of the squatters locked on. "We may have lost round one but we will re-group and consider our next course of action. We are not finished yet[...]" - quote attributed to one of the squatters by the Oxford Mail.
URGENT CALL to defend the occupation of Sandles, Thrupp Lake.
On Wednesday 24th January, energy company RWE Npower was granted an order to evict this lakeside property with immediate effect. Meanwhile, at the property extremely robust defences are being built with a view to delaying the destruction of this area of outstanding natural beauty. This is an URGENT CALL for people to join them in resisting the coming eviction. Please phone the site mobile 07772 055 384 straight away.
Npower, who run the notoriously polluting Didcot Power Station, want to fill the lakes with toxic fly ash, a by-product of coal-burning.
A massive campaign by local people has been ignored by both company and the authorities. Oxfordshire County Council has so far facilitated npower's dumping. The habitat is home to many protected species, including water voles and rare orchids. There have been reported sightings of otters. Further expertise is requested to gather further evidence of the ecology of the lakes. Boats are also very welcome at the site.
Links: Eviction expected | Videos: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] | Photos | Court Report | Occupation and background | Older Report | Campaign Website | Map
Radley Lakes
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update
07.02.2007 22:31
The campaign continues...
Squat evicted 6th Feb - see posting
Latest Update 14/02/07 Trees being cut down at Radley lakes
14.02.2007 11:33
Yesterday an otter survey was carried out by English Nature on behalf of Npower, because they failed to carry out a thorough survey during the initial ecological survey. However despite otters having been seen and other evidence of otters using the lakes, none have been seen to be present at this time and it was thought unlikely that they would use this area for breeding. During the survey trees along the lakeside where covered in tape to prevent birds breeding and today a wood chipper and other equipment arrived at the re-possessed Npower property. Further to this a notice as been placed on the gates of the property stating that “Vegetation Clearance Underway for Next 2 Weeks”. Workers have been seen surveying some of the 1000 trees that surround the lakes. However this is despite local people filing a Town Green Application and an injunction preventing work until a decision is reached on this. We are asking for people to visit the lakes and help support locals and others present and help prevent the destruction of these beautiful lakes.
Sterl
2 quick actions
16.02.2007 11:44
Npower now has an injunction which has been served on some of us. Npower's heavies (Shercurity - anyone come across 'em before?) have been enforcing the injunction and anything else on their minds. You can recognise them by the face-masks and masked registration plates on their vehicles. Can start to feel powerless, but
Ask 1. Power of the (indy)media: Thursday 16th they were getting heavy with anyone trying to photograph the destruction of the nature reserve. Sc they have silenced local people and protestors but can they silence all of us? Can you get to Thrupp lake, Radley, Oxon and take footage and photos and post them here and everywhere?
Ask 2. Power of the customer: Many of us once encouraged our friends and family to join Juice, Npower's green electricity tariff. I was wrong. Can we now put as much energy into getting friends, family and - hell - complete strangers to tear up Juice and Npower contracts? Call Npower's Juice team on 0845 120 2755. OK, so they are paid not to understand why destroying a nature reserve is un-green, but anyway tell them why you've switched and will be getting everyone else switching unless..
Another manic tree preacher
malcolm carroll
e-mail:
malcolm.carroll@btinternet.com