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Factory owner fights to keep unofficial residents

Michelle Ruminski
BBC Somerset Political Reporter
Pippa Rifka
BBC News, Somerset
BBC A photo of the Zig Zag building, with three layers of long glass panels, surrounded by trees and overgrown plants. BBC
Almost 20 people are living in the grounds of the Zig Zag building and some have done so for as long a decade

The owner of a former factory where almost 20 people are living said he will not make anyone intentionally homeless.

The occupants at the Zig Zag site in Glastonbury have until the end of March to comply with an enforcement order from Somerset Council to leave and return it to its former condition.

Zig Zag owner Chris Black said he cannot comply with the ruling because "it is not achievable and is also not reasonable".

Somerset Council said the Planning Inspectorate agreed the building was not fit for human habitation. However, it acknowledged the issue is wider and is already working on identifying sites for temporary and permanent pitches.

Chris Black standing in front of the Zig zag building wearing a red woollen hat
Chris Black, the owner of the Zig Zag building, said he wants to negotiate with Somerset Council and claims it has not been willing to talk

Mr Black allows people to live in the grounds of the building - which he describes as a cultural hub where artists create and exhibit their work.

However, he has not obtained permission from Somerset Council to allow people to live and work there.

In July, Mr Black lost an appeal for the occupants to stay.

The enforcement notice from Somerset Council said the mixed use of the land for storage and residential purposes must end, all caravans must be removed, and the site be restored to its original condition.

Piles of wood and other materials heaped up next to a fence
Mr Black said he is tidying up the site and has removed the container behind this old engine, which used to be someone's home

Mr Black said he cannot comply with the enforcement order.

"It is beyond me and I don't want to," he said.

He added "money is a factor" because he claimed he has spent a fortune trying to defend the action against the residents.

Mr Black said he now hopes to negotiate with the council, which he claims has not been in touch since the outcome of the public inquiry.

"Come and let's have a dialogue and see whether we have any ground where we can meet, because I'm starting to think there is nobody in the council," he said.

"I am trying to get them to be a little bit reasonable.

"Myself and many others have put a great deal of effort into trying to create an arts quarter in this neglected and forgotten part of Glastonbury," he said.

The ground of the Zig Zag building. In shot is part of the building, a caravan, a crane and an historic engine.
Somerset Council said the Planning Inspector agreed the site is not fit for human habitation

Following the public inquiry, planning inspector Siobhan Watson said living conditions were "inadequate".

She believed there was "strong evidence" the site contributed to anti-social behaviour and crime within the town.

She also felt the site had a "seriously harmful visual effect" on the area.

Mr Black contests these things, but said he will work with the council to make improvements.

He said he has taken some steps to tidy up and removed a container and said he will not make anyone homeless.

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