Urban Occupation

Sunday May 5th saw over 300 people take over a derelict piece of land in the Tory borough of Wandsworth, London. The site is owned by Guinness who have been trying their best to receive planning permission for yet another supermarket and luxury housing on the land. But campaigners for land reform had a far better use in mind and as the Action Update goes to press the permaculture gardens are already blooming and various structures including, yurts, geodesic domes and a more permanent octagonal meeting house are already in use. It should also be known that the village has the most luxurious compost toilets around! ‘Pure Genius’ seemed to be a very appropriate name for the new village. Lots of positive support has come from local people who have been attending the daily meetings, putting forward their ideas and generally getting stuck into the whole project. It is hoped that people will continue to head down and stay when the site is handed over to anyone who wants to live there on Sunday 12th May. No doubt that this will all have given Guinness something to talk about at their AGM which, funnily enough, happened this week. For more info, contact The Land is Ours on: 01865 722016.