road protests 1998
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Date: Sun, 06 Sep 1998 17:11:57 +0100
From: Cornerstone Resource Centre
Subject: EF!NE-ACTION UPDATE NO.51 SEPTEMBER '98
Toytown Camp (Cheltenham)
Cheltenham's first protest camp, Toytown, has solid local support and a fantastic vibe on site, with momentum building - due partly to a 'no drink, no drugs' policy. "Just like Wyndham Hill in Yeovil a couple of years ago, the political will isn't really there. If we can get rid of the profit motive, then Waitrose and their cronies will see sense and run."
Local people are angry because their children will lose the only playing field in the area. It's also one of the last green spaces in the area, a riverside wildlife habitat, including bats, two potential brownfield housing sites, and the historic Alstone Spa. Instead, the council has given permission for two new roads, 1,500 car parking spaces, a supermarket, a drive through fast food restaurant, a 10 screen cinema shed, a petrol station, a nightclub, a bowling alley, a theme pub and a private health and fitness centre, all of which Cheltenham already has.
After 2 years, the campaign to protect the area has moved into direct action, setting up camp and organising high-profile stunts to embarrass the council and the 'developers'. The camp has a compost toilet, covered kitchen, office and benders. Come and build more treehouses, help with activities for the young people who use the woodland as a play area, and build a permaculture garden. We need climbing equipment, polyprop, tarps, building wood, vegan food, TOYS! and money.
Visit!
road protests 1998
| road protests (current)
| movement links