Protestors evicted from Leyton Marshes

The Waltham Forest Guardian reports (from 5th april):

PROTESTERS have lost a High Court battle over the right to campaign against an Olympic training centre being built on public land.

The mix of local people and Occupy London group members are preparing to leave their campsite on Leyton Marshes after the High Court approved an eviction order this afternoon applied for by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, which manages the green space.

The peaceful protest was in opposition to building temporary Olympic basketball courts on the land.

[On Wednesday 4th April] the High Court approved a 14-day injunction against the protesters blocking construction vehicles from accessing the site after it was sought by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

Campaigners are furious that the green space is being closed off to the public and fear the works could cause lasting damage to the beauty spot.

The ODA has denied this and promised to return the land to its original condition.

Local group Save Leyton Marshes plan to seek a judicial review over both orders and aim to compile a legal case within a fortnight to prevent the ODA's injunction being renewed.

Member Caroline Day said: "We felt disappointed and we feel as though the critical issues are not being explored in court. It seems a travesty of justice to us. This is not the end.

"The judicial review would cover the nature of the judgement against us but how the construction has gone ahead.

"The onus should be on the ODA to explain themselves rather than us because there's questions about the environment and various health and safety concerns they have failed to answer."

She added that their argument will focus on these issues, such as an unexploded bomb being found last month which triggered an evacuation of the area and rubble containing asbestos being dug up...