Council issues Crystal Palace injunctions

Sixteen people, including a 74-year-old grandmother and "persons unknown", have been summoned to appear before London's High Court, charged with unlawfully occupying the Crystal Palace site in south London.

Bromley council applied for the injunctions last week, only days after a campaign group lost its battle to overturn the planning consent for a commercial development in the park.

Local residents claim they are being victimised and have been given leave to appeal. One, Ken Lewington, told CJ: "Since April I have been on-site twice. Some of the accused are eco-warriors, but a lot of us have done nothing other than been quoted in newspapers. I will be writing to Bromley Borough Council and demanding that my name is withdrawn from this list, or I may sue them for defamation of character."

Greg Oldham, Bromley council's solicitor, said: "These people voiced their views and support in various newspapers. We are seeking an order for possession of the land following their occupancy without permission. This order will keep them away from developments."

The council has established a millennium commitee and is currently considering projects for the site. A spokesperson for the council said it was favouring a private proposal for a 100m high tower, which would feature a central column on which a rotating gondola would run horizontally.

The millennium tower would be built and operated by an as yet un-named private company, and a planning application is expected within the next two weeks.

Local residents have vowed to continue the battle against the development, with the full support of the environmental protesters. Lewington said: "The protesters have no intention of moving. They have tunnels, tree houses, rope bridges and now a tank."

"By the council's own admittance they have not consulted properly. They have entered into agreements which perhaps they shouldn't have."