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AN EMPTY apartment at a South London estate was occupied for a second time yesterday as scores of families continued to be threatened with evictions. The Loughborough Park estate in Brixton has been emptied out slowly by its owner, the Guinness Trust, to make way for luxury apartments.
As reported by the Star, an earlier occupation of 82 Elveden ended after residents’ spokeswoman Betiel Mehari was rehoused within the borough in another of the trust’s complexes.
Guinness Occupation spokesman Michael Forsythe told the Star: “During the first occupation in February we warned Guinness Trust that if they intend to evict then we intend to occupy. “They actually backed down on the eviction and that tenant is now part of the assured shorthold tenants (ASTs) being offered secure tenancies. “The occupation was closed after that success with the warning that if it continued with evictions and forcing the ASTs out of their homes then we would be back.
“They are showing ASTs places currently, however they are still inadequate and overpriced, and as a result we are back in occupation.”
Mr Forsythe and 15 other local campaigners have now spent more than 48 hours in the building, with security personnel standing by outside, monitoring the occupation. Community members have come out in support of residents and occupiers, providing transport and other necessities. Reclaim Brixton founder Cyndi Anafo said: “We wholeheartedly are in support of what’s happening at the Guinness Trust estate. “As early as [our first meeting] we made a commitment to support the people that testified about problems they were going through.”
When contacted by the Star, the Guinness Partnership argued that its new builds would house 487 new families on social and affordable rent, as well as shared ownership. A spokesman said: “All existing tenants with secure tenancies will move into homes in the new development and will continue to pay social rent.
“The vast majority of the squatters who have broken into a vacant flat do not live at Loughborough Park, and we are working with the police to ensure they are removed as quickly and safely as possible.”
