Heathrow protesters facing eviction breathe easier as bailiffs fail to appear
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Version 0 of 1. Josh Halliday Protesters campaigning against the expansion of Heathrow airport have faced down an attempt to evict them, forming a musical barricade in front of the greenbelt site in west London. The Grow Heathrow campaign has established a community market garden on land in Sipson, a village that could be bulldozed if a third runway is built. Some of the protesters have been at the site for four years. About 200 protesters gathered at the half-acre site on Friday morning to peacefully resist an attempt by bailiffs to clear the land. A 15-year-old girl locked herself to the site's metal gates while some protesters scaled a makeshift watchtower and others guarded underground tunnels. However, the anticipated standoff never materialised, as bailiffs failed to turn up by lunchtime. Some protesters faced the threat of eviction by singing the song You Are My Sunshine, accompanied by a piano and guitars. The decision to evict the protesters from the land, which is owned by the businessman Imran Malik, was upheld in the court of appeal. The protesters claimed victory after Malik arrived alone and filmed some of those barricading the site before leaving about 9am. John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, handed Malik a letter urging him to discuss the issue with the residents, who want to buy the land. The MP is against the eviction and the third runway. The residents claim they have tried to open up a dialogue with Malik, but he has refused. Dave Fuller, 33, who has entertained fellow protesters by playing a piano outside the main entrance to the site, said it had been a stressful few months for the squatters who had made the plot of land their home since 2010. "It's pretty inspirational that people are carrying on as normal," he said. "Everybody's carrying on, life goes on. There's a lot to do and there are plans for the future, but having eviction hanging over your life is pretty stressful." The squatters have garnered the support of many local residents and politicians after establishing a sustainable, self-sufficient community on the land. On Friday afternoon, with the threat of eviction seemingly lifted, many on the site took the opportunity to catch up on sleep – something they have missed in the nights leading up to Friday's planned eviction. Eddy Charles, who has been a resident at the site for a year, said: "There is a huge show of support for us. There are about 100 people here from the local community, chanting and playing music. "The owner and the bailiffs have arrived, but I can't imagine they will do anything today now. "We are not feeling nervous any more. It's been warming to see such great numbers turn up and try and protect this space. I think everyone is feeling very upbeat and empowered. "We want to buy the land. We want to continue this community on stable, secure land. We hope we can now start to talk." A Metropolitan police spokeswoman said no officers had attended the site, but that they would be called to prevent a breach of the peace if bailiffs decided to return to the site in the future. Paddy Reynolds, 30, a prominent member of the anti-Heathrow expansion protest, described Friday morning's events as a "little taste of what might happen if there's a third runway". "Once everything was in place; it felt like unless they come with stormtroopers it [the eviction] is not happening." he said. "Although we've been quite clear we won't leave, we've always been peaceful about it." |