Video: Westfield protesters ordered to leave Bradford’s giant ‘hole’

Protesters left the site of a stalled shopping centre in Bradford city centre today after a court ruled they should be evicted.

The Occupy Westfield group, which has been camped on the site of the 10-acre hole where the shopping centre is due to be built confirmed they would leave the building site but would move their protest to a nearby urban garden. They were later seen moving caravans and other possessions off the site.

Alias Yousaf, of Chambers Solicitors, acting for the Occupy Westfield group, said after the hearing his clients would be complying with the order.

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Speaking afterwards one of the protesters said he believed the on-going protest had been successful as the awareness the campaign had generated so far had been “phenomenal.”

Westfield served repossession papers on protesters who had been occupying its development site in the city centre and a hearing was held at Bradford County Court this morning.

One masked protester stood outside the court holding a placard which read: “Look into my eyes Westfield. Get your act together.”

Occupy Westfield set up camp in May after becoming frustrated at what they see as a lack of progress on the development.

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Speaking after the hearing Coun Dave Green, the leader of Bradford Council, said he was “delighted” the campaigners had left Westfield.

In a statement Westfield said: “Westfield is pleased with the judges’ decision to award the possession order.

“We appreciate that the occupants have vacated the construction site, however we request they leave the entire development site including the urban garden to allow Westfield to focus on its core priority to lease the site.

“Over the past five weeks, Westfield has advised the occupants that the protest is counter-productive to the retailer negotiations required before the scheme can progress. We understand the community’s frustration over the re-start of the development however we share the common goal for the scheme to be developed.”

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