The council described the mess left by protesters as 'squalid' and 'disgusting' Credit: Wandsworth Council
Wandsworth Council has sent these photos of the mess left by squatters at the Battersea Park Adventure Playground.
The protest group was occupying the playground to try to stop workmen moving in to knock it down, which they began to do today.
Wandsworth Council: “They claimed they were occupying the playground for some high moral cause" Credit: Wandsworth Council
In a statement, the council said
"The squatters have vandalised furniture and ransacked the single storey play building within the playground site. A sofa has been spray painted with obscene anti-police messages, while filing cabinets have been emptied and furniture and other fixtures left damaged
Protesters are angry that staff at the adventure playground have been made redundant, and new, less adventurous equipment is being installed Credit: Wandsworth Council
Mess and dirt has been spread over floors. The clean-up operation is an extra burden for local taxpayers who have already been landed with a £30,000 bill as a result of the squatters’ unlawful occupation of the playground."
Workmen took chainsaws to the slide and diggers broke up climbing frames at Battersea Park playground Credit: Nick Thatcher / ITV London
Workmen have begun dismantling Battersea Park Adventure Playground. The site was closed by Wandsworth council last October despite local opposition. The council now plans to install £200,000 worth of new play equipment which will not require staff supervision.
Workmen move in after protesters, who have been occupying the playground, were evicted. Credit: Nick Thatcher / ITV London
Wandsworth Council has welcomed the eviction of the protesters who were occupying Battersea Park playground. They say they can now begin the £200,000 redevelopment of the site but the protest has cost Wandsworth taxpayers £30,000.
"The presence of the squatters was preventing these improvement works from beingcarried out and jeopardising our plans to reopen it at the start of the school Easter holiday. These unnecessary delays coupled with the legal and policingcosts have left taxpayers with a £30,000 bill, which will have to be met fromexisting budgets and unfortunately this could have a knock-on effect onservices to young people in the area."
Wandsworth Council has evicted a group of protesters who had occupied a playground in Battersea Park. They had taken over the site after the council planned to redevelop it as an unsupervised facility.
However, Wandsworth Council say they could no longer afford to keep supervisors at the playground and add that the new replacement facility would be enjoyed by children.
Wandsworth Council image of the plan for the new playground. Credit: Wandsworth Council
Battersea Park Adventure Playground demolished later
Battersea Park Adventure Playground is due to be demolished later today.
Local campaigners, Wandsworth Against Cuts, and Occupy London supporters say they need to stop the closure from going ahead and are staging an ongoing sit-in at the site.
Protesters gather at Battersea Adventure Playground
Campaigners opposing demolition of Battersea Adventure Playground gathering at the playground gates today. Credit: Piers Hopkirk/ITNThey've been bringing tea and sandwiches to protesters who have set up camp in the playground. Credit: Piers Hopkirk/ITN
