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Ravens Ait squatters evicted
A small group of people who have been illegally occupying Ravens Ait Island since the end of February 2009 were evicted today (Friday 1 May 2009).
High Court Enforcement Officers acting on behalf of Kingston Council implemented a County Court Order to evict 23 squatters, with the support of the Metropolitan Police.
Ravens Ait is a public asset and Kingston Council has remained resolute in its intent to regain possession of the Island for the benefit of local taxpayers. Since taking up residence in February, Kingston Council had requested that the squatters occupying Ravens Ait leave peacefully and without creating a financial burden on the public purse.
At Kingston County Court on 19 March 2009, Kingston Council obtained a possession order for the Island. In addition to requiring that the squatters leave Ravens Ait, the Court refused the squatters permission to appeal and awarded all costs to Kingston Council.
Since the Court hearing Kingston Council has instructed the squatters to comply with the Court Order and leave the island voluntarily. As the squatters continued to refuse to leave voluntarily, High Court Enforcement Officers were instructed to implement the terms of the County Court Order on Friday 1 May 2009.
The Island was declared surplus by the Council prior to the end of the lease with the previous operator, which ended on 31 December 2008. Following the end of that lease the Council had been in the process of marketing the Island and had received enquiries from a number of companies interested in Ravens Ait. The occupation of the Island by the squatters has prevented the Council from marketing the Island.
Kingston Council will now be able to continue with its plans for Ravens Ait. Whilst that takes place, the Council will be ensuring that there is a 24 hour security presence on the Island.
The costly work to clear up the mess and debris left by the 'caretaking' squatters now begins.
