THREE authorities are going to Government officials in a squabble over who is responsible for an illegal camp in a park.
Redbridge Council, Newham Council, and City of London Corporation (CoCL) have requested details from the Government’s Land Registry in a bid to find out who owns a makeshift camp recently brought to their attention in Wanstead Park.
The camp is located between the CoCL cemetery and Alders Brook near Ilford Golf Course and the Ilford allotments.
Location of the camp in Wanstead Park (Photo: Google)
But after park volunteers Eileen Elton and Nina Parish urged all three authorities to clear the “disgusting” camp of old furniture, mattresses, and electrical items for good, they were unable to decide who was responsible for it.
A Redbridge Council spokesman said: “After internal investigations and speaking to both Newham Council and CoCL, we have requested details as to the Land Registry of this area from the Government so we can fully establish ownership and take steps to deal with this issue.”
After the camp was set on fire in a “sickening” attack on December 6, leaving the 66-year-old homeless man who lives there shaken, the council also claimed it sent someone to try to help him.
The camp after it was torched on December 6
The 66-year-old homeless man who lives in the camp is still there, despite the arson attack
But Ms Elton, of Empress Avenue, Aldersbroook, says the man is “very much still there”.
She said: “He is very much still there and collecting things for the camp on an industrial scale.
“Since the fire new furniture has arrived, which he must bring in on a trolley from the local area.
“It’s good they’re finally trying to find out who has the power to clear the camp once and for all, but we’ve been asking them to do that for over a year.”
Last week (December 16) Ms Elton and Ms Parish met their MP for Leyton and Wanstead John Cryer, who has promised to visit the camp for himself in the new year.
Ms Elton added: “I hope Mr Cryer can help sort ownership out.
"We just want the park to go back to how it should be.
“And he’s the only person to show enough interest to want to go and see it for himself.”
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