Eco villagers who set up a sustainable community today pledged not to move and are looking forward to a green Christmas despite plans which could see campaigners homeless in less than a week.
The future of the former Scottish Widow site, near Kew Bridge, will be decided by councillors next Wednesday after developers St George put in a third application for a multi-storey block of flats and piazza.
But villagers, who have just built an outhouse toilet and plan to build a dome entirely from clay farmed from the land to keep warm in winter, have no plans to move.
Villager Sam, 26, said the community were supporting them and said neighbours of the site had vowed to come to the meeting to protest against plans for 164 flats, more than 150 car parking spaces, a business centre, pub and gym.
He said: “The future of this site should be decided by the community not St George.
“What they [St George] should do is call a meeting actually on the site and ask people what they want.”
Since campaigners scaled walls to the site on June 6 they have set up art and music workshops and got teenagers from the community growing herb and vegetable gardens.
New villager Alan, who heard about the community online, said: “This is a happy, unique place for the whole community. All St George see is pound signs but there is no real community space in the area apart from this.
“I have heard whispers St George want to meet with us but all the same we heard nothing from them about the plans going before council, it was only when a member of the community told us. But we will not leave this land unless the community say they don’t want us here any longer.”
The West London River Group objected to plans claiming the development would restrict access to the riverside for the general public and the towering design is inappropriate and out of character for the area.
A St George spokesman said: "We believe that this scheme is right for this long-neglected and derelict site. It will deliver many benefits for the community, including a major public square with improved pedestrian access to the river, additional boating facilities, a floating pontoon adn a new waterside pub alongside other shops, restaurants, cafes, offices and much needed new homes.
"We hope that when the council's sustainable development committee considers this application, they can support their officers' recommendation adn approve this scheme so regeneration of this important site can begin.
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