Thanks to a resident posting on the chiswickw4.com discussion forum about an unauthorised encampment in Turnham Green ward late tonight, Cllr Joanna Biddolph immediately alerted Lendlease, the owner of this empty car park, the police and the Hounslow enforcement officer. In fact, Lendlease was already aware having been alerted by its 24-hour security service.
The unauthorised encampment arrived on Friday, 19th April – Good Friday and the start of a long bank holiday weekend. The trespassers have locked themselves into the car park (it is the car park behind white painted hoardings, not the open air car park on the corner of Chiswick Terrace/Acton Lane and Essex Place).
My understanding is that, as the unauthorised encampment is on private land, the landowner has to issue a notice of intent to obtain a possession order to remove the trespassers and seek an order via the courts.
Considering it is a long bank holiday weekend it could take several days to get a possession order (if the encampment has not left voluntarily). With the May bank holiday the weekend after this one, the eviction might take some time.
If there is evidence of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and/or there are six or more vehicles, the police may use their discretionary s.61 powers of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to order the occupants (together with their property) to leave.
My experience of working with Lendlease on Empire House is that the team is very fast to act as it has been in response to this issue. I have been in touch with them this morning and will continue to be so over the weekend.
If anyone experiences anti-social behaviour, or if the situation changes radically, please involve the police as appropriate.
