Croydon is geering up for protests against the development of the former Crystal Palace site after determined eco-warriors vowed to lie in front of bulldozers when workers move in to redevelop the site, writes GARY TAPHOUSE.
Their pledge came on Sunday as protesters held a rally to show continuing solidarity against the controversial scheme.
Scores of campaigners are encamped in an "eco-village" in Crystal Palace Park, backed by many local residents determined to stop the £58-million cinema and restaurant complex being built.
Businesswoman Sue Nagle, 45, who devotes much of her time offering support to the eco-warriors, said: "People will lie down in front of bulldozers. The campaign is working to achieve a legal solution. But if that fails, there's no back-up. We have got to be ready for it.
"After mixing with the eco-warriors, you realised they are so committed. The depth of feeling up here is incredible. I've got to feel we have a 100 per cent chance."
She warned that the number of front-line campaigners could swell into hundreds, adding: "They will bring people in from other areas when the developers come in."
Eco-warrior Clive, 43, also known as Weasel, said when protesters moved in: "This area is ideal to tunnelling. Our aim is to stop this development and we also hope to make it as expensive as possible for big businesses who will be making a profit from it."
Marketing manager at Bromley's leisure services department, Brian Turpin, said: "How much the clean-up costs is down to how the squatters leave the site.
"It's unfortunate that some of the squatters have come from further afield yet costs will have to be borne by local taxpayers.
"We're surprised that people who normally advocate the defence of green spaces want to prevent the regeneration of a green site which will bring large benefits to the area and create 1,000 jobs."
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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