Shopping centre developers head to court in bid to evict protesters

The campaigners, who have set up camp in the middle of the 10-acre hole where the proposed shopping centre is due to be built, say they are frustrated by what they see as a lack of progress.

Yesterday, Westfield confirmed it has served repossession papers on the occupants of the site, who set up camp in May and a hearing is due to take place at Bradford County Court today.

In a statement, Westfield said it had asked the campaigners leave the site for health and safety reasons several time and advised them that their efforts were counter-productive to attracting businesses and signing the agreements needed before the scheme could progress.

“Through very difficult economic conditions, Westfield has remained committed to Bradford. While we understand the community’s frustration over the re-start of the development, we share the common goal for the scheme to be progressed,” the statement added.

Alias Yousaf, of Chambers Solicitors in Bradford, acting for the Occupy Westfield campaigners, said: “Despite the adverse weather conditions my clients have continued with their protest and have now collated almost 20,000 signatures.”

Westfield took control of the site in 2004 and demolished large swathes of the city centre to make way for the centre. It mothballed this scheme in 2009 and now has plans for a smaller development.