THE Broads Authority has issued 41 eviction notices to houseboat moorers at the western end of Thorpe Island in Norwich, that has been a recognised mooring site for nearly 100 years—since at least 1922.
Commonly known as Jenner's Basin, the landowner has both a covenant and planning permission for residential moorings, yet the Broads Authority maintain, obviously incorrectly, there are no mooring rights at Jenner's Basin and are acting on behalf of four complainants living opposite the community, yet to date more than 2,800 people have supported those moorers on Thorpe Island.
Earmarked for new marina
It is clear that the four complainants are little more than an excuse by the Authority in what is obviously a vendetta against the owner, Roger Wood, and the vulnerable residents, and it is believed the real reason for clearing the site is that the land is earmarked for a new marina, with the residents believing it is little more than social cleansing.
There is now a legal dispute between The Broads Authority and Roger Wood, which is ongoing with the next court hearing due on 2nd February 2016, with resident Gary Barnes explaining:
Group established
"A group has been established to protect the rights of the residents to stay on Thorpe Island and live their lives in peace as they have always done. We do not represent Roger Wood although we support him in his fight against the Broads Authority.
The Chairman of the Broads Authority has described the community as a 'shanty town' and the residents as 'feral'. A formal complaint has been lodged in relation to this and an internal investigation promised. However, we are unlikely to accept anything less than an independent review of the case and are calling for the Chairman, Professor Jacquie Burgess, to step-down"
Bullying tactics
The Authority is fighting dirty, having ordered that the means of electric and fresh water supply be removed leaving the residents without access to essential services during winter and threatened with criminal proceedings. With such threats hanging over them, some residents being unable to live without the means of electricity or water during the winter have left, but a core has remained to stand up against the bullying tactics of the Broads Authority.
These residents were ordered to leave by 18th December or face enforcement, but stood firm, with the Authority now stating that it will take action in the New Year.
Refusal to meet
Hoping to have the support of the media the residents met with the well-connected might of the Broads Authority, that influenced the local publications, and a request to sit down together to attempt to sort it all out met with a point-blank refusal!
The Authority is doing all in its considerable power to oust these residents from their legitimate moorings for its own ends, and surely must be stopped.
You can help these residents in their fight to retain their legal moorings—LINK