Camp Bling is a road protest site in the heart of Southend-On-Sea, Essex, UK. We are trying to protect one of the most important historical sites in the UK, and save many trees from destruction.
The rain had stopped, and inside a secret location vegan dishes were being handed out to the sound of a protest briefing. It was a special night; one that had been chosen to coincide with probably the most ironic award celebration in recent history.
Southend Coucil was being awarded by British Archeology for finding the East Saxon king's burial site. It was of no consequence that this very site was to be shortly concreted and Tarmac-ed over, never to be seen again.
But 80 protestors of hugely varying ages and experience were on the march, ready to spoil the Council's "Cheese and Wine Backslappathon". And they did : the pioneers gatecrashing the party and almost setting up a second Camp Bling in front of the Mayor of Southend, whilst Parklife's alternative Mayor (the brilliant John Smith) stated that Southend had seen the error of their ways and were cancelling the road.
More teams of protesters, banners waving and in full voice, surrounded the Priory in the centre of Priory Park, and made their feelings clear. And the press had something to take photos of - far more interesting than cheese and biscuits.
The full press release is here!
Pylon.
Camp Bling was instigated one year ago by local people and members of the Parklife resident’s campaign group, to stop the controversial widening of the A127/A1159 Priory Crescent , felling of 111 trees, concreting of 3000m2 of public open space, and destruction of the world famous East Saxon king’s burial discovered in 2003.
Since then the campaign has continued in earnest, with regular public meetings, lobbying, petitioning, direct action, and a number of well attended events at the ever growing site, which continues to thrive on a 200m strip of land situated between the existing road and Liverpool Street railway line, in the very heart of town.
The camp held an open house on Saturday 23rd September to thank the public for their amazing support over the past 12 months.
A spokesperson said, "The plan is to keep the event low key, as our purpose is simply to stop the road and protect the land for the people of the town. To this end we welcome everyone to join us to celebrate what in effect has become a wonderful community project, and an opportunity for local people to stand up collectively for what they believe in."
The latest estimated cost for construction is now £25m - not including site eviction or security - which the Department for Transport has yet to make an announcement on providing; to widen 870 metres of carriageway which it has been claimed could well become the most expensive stretch of road ever to be built. Costs have continued to spiral since an original figure of £3.5m was agreed with central Government in December 2000.
In an effort to thwart the project, it is rumoured that one of the deepest protest tunnel systems ever known has now been dug, to enable the site to be defended from any eviction, whether legal or illegal, by the local authority, should the road be approved.
To date it is estimated that over 25,000 signatures and letters have been collected in opposition. Just 16 (sixteen) local people were found in favour of the scheme during public consultation, and a recent newspaper poll shows the majority still against the road.
The campaign continues…
Urgent help needed for Camp Titnore...High Court Action lost so eviction may be imminent.
Please attend the site if you can to ensure that any eviction is as high profile as possible.
Inform national media - press and air - if you have contacts.
Camp web site now at : http://www.eco-action.org/porkbolter/Camp-Titnore.html
Site phone number : 07804 245324
Background information : http://www.protectourwoodland.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/titnore/
High Court Update 27/07/06
After intial confusion was caused by the Somersets inability to prove ownership of the land they were asking possesion of the High Court in London granted possession of land being used by the protectors of Titnore wood to the Somerset family. However the Court has given leave for the protectors to appeal and ordered that no action should be taken to remove them for 14 days.
In other court related news:
Worthing Borough Council has today been threatened with a Judicial Review - possibly in the High Court - that would be based on the decision of the Development Control Committee to recommend the approval of alterations to Titnore Lane, as part of its decision to grant outline planning permission for the development at West Durrington. The council have been told that the evidence submitted to their Development Control Committee, and presented at its meeting on March 28th, was defective in five main areas.
Barristers acting for the claimant, The Worthing Society, have stated that if legal proceedings are required, a quashing order will be sought from the Court quashing the grant of planning permission WB/04/00040/OUT together with an order for costs.
As ever people are asked to get down to the site if they can, things are really hotting up now and it looks like this could get really interesting.
So, it cost £1.5 million to evict 30 protestors over a 10 day period at Dalkeith Country Park - and they set up in October 2005?!
(http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=382532006)
And I'm so excited that I can't even type!! Here's to the next eight month instalment...
woo yeah, we've been (allegedly) Blingin' in for eight months today!!!!
Squersh
Hello to all from Camp Bling. Things going very well down at the site, defences still going in and we're waiting for the funding announcement to build the road.
More construction, meetings, events and training all planned, so get in touch soon, or please visit us ASAP for more details.
Still in need of people, building materials and donations (food and financial) too.
On Tuesday 23rd May we'll be celebrating eight months of Bling - amazin!!!
Well done to all.
Squersh x
(From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/4734994.stm)
Campaigners have won a battle against plans to increase quarrying near an ancient monument in North Yorkshire.
They argued the area is of national archaeological importance. Councillors agreed and rejected the plans.
Tarmac said it would appeal against a decision to refuse its plans to quarry tonnes of sand and gravel at Ladybridge Farm, near Thornborough Henges.
The land could cope with the quarrying said Tarmac, adding it hoped factual evidence would prevail at its appeal.
North Yorkshire County councillors voted 6 to 3 to reject the application at a planning meeting on Tuesday.
So if North Yorkshire CC value neolithic henges and settlements above economic development, why do Southend BC value Anglo Saxon findings so little?
A case of being blinded by money?!
The campaign against the controversial F5 dual carriageway scheme, proposed for the
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