A GROUP of activists who 'swooped' on a derelict market garden in opposition to Heathrow's third runway are being threatened with eviction.
Transition Heathrow, a group of youngsters in their 20s, living in Harlington High Street, set up a project called 'Grow Heathrow' in March.
They claimed the patch of land in Vineries Close, Sipson, which had laid unused, and have since cleared it up, and turned it into a 'community hub' for the village. Together with villagers, they have worked hard to turn the derelict land into a thriving market garden.
A total of 30 tonnes of rubbish have been removed and two of the greenhouses have been completely re-glazed. It also hosted a banquet attended by 80 people. Now though, the activists are facing the very real threat of eviction, and are planning to fight it at a hearing at Uxbridge County Court.
Joe Rake, 21, of Harlington, a member of Transition Heathrow, said: "We are all extremely gutted to receive the eviction papers after all the hard work that has been put in to clear and make the site into a flourishing community garden. There's so many possibilities for the space and potential to provide locally-grown, fresh vegetables in the villages."
James Payne, chair of the Harmondsworth and Sipson Residents Association, said: "We have seen the Berkeley nursery site become an unwanted mess and area of trouble for local residents until the Grow Heathrow members took over.
"Since then it has been a secure site and a safer area for the local villagers. We hope they are allowed to stay as they have support from us and all the local people we know they are a great asset to the local community."
The activists also have the full support of MP John McDonnell, who held a public meeting on Sunday (29) to discuss fighting off the threat of eviction. An online petition supporting the Grow Heathrow project in the face of eviction has attracted over 180 signatures.
A court hearing at Uxbridge County Court, in Uxbridge Road, Hayes, will take place on Thursday September 2 at 11am.
