Small victory for protesters after eviction notice

Protesters who have been camping out at a 1950s bus shelter are celebrating a small victory after efforts to evict them were put on hold.

The shelter on Station Approach near the heritage railway station in Sheringham is due to be replaced because Norfolk County Council says it does not meet modern accessibility standards and is unsafe.

Metal fencing was placed around the site earlier, and bailiffs and police attended, after the council served an eviction notice.

The protesters are contesting the legality of the notice, but the council insists it has "followed all correct legal and procedural requirements."

In the eviction notice seen by the BBC, the council said campaigners were "occupying the land illegally and without permission, licence or consent and have no right to remain".

It read: "If you do not leave immediately today (Friday), together with all your belongings, we will exercise our right of self-help to evict you and have instructed our agents to do so on our behalf."

Demonstrators said there had been people camping at the shelter since Monday.

Norfolk Police said it attended and was there to engage with the community. No arrests or crimes were recorded.

Liz Withington said she and other demonstrators were celebrating after the efforts to remove them were stopped earlier.

The group are contesting the ownership of the land at the bus stop and Withington said they had been advised the legality of the notice was being further examined.

"At the moment, it is not being demolished because we are here inside the shelter," said Withington, who is also the Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for community, leisure and outreach at North Norfolk District Council.

"We haven't had any reassurances they're not going to currently demolish the shelter, so it's a small victory, but it's a victory for the people."

She said there was a "will and determination" to stay as long as needed over the Christmas period.

Steffan Aquarone, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, said he was "absolutely incensed by the arrogance" of the council.

"I stand shoulder to shoulder with them because they need to have their voices properly heard," he said.

Norfolk County Council said it held a three-week public consultation in May over its Sheringham Travel Hub project, which included the installation of the new bus stop.

"Norfolk County Council has followed all correct legal and procedural requirements," said Conservative leader Graham Plant.

"We currently have control and management of all parts of the site during the construction of the scheme, and our legal experts have advised that the eviction notice issued today is entirely lawful.

"I do understand that some people feel strongly about the removal of the existing bus shelter and it's disappointing that the situation has come to this, however, we have a duty to invest in and spend money received from government."

He said protesters needed to vacate the site and rejected claims the authority had used bullying tactics.

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