People living in old factory worried about eviction

People have lived in and around the Zig Zag building for a decade

People living in and around the grounds of a disused factory in Glastonbury say they will be devastated if a planning inspector agrees they should be evicted.

Somerset Council has issued enforcement notices to the owner of the Zig Zag building to clear the site and return it to its original state.

The space is a community hub for exhibitions, performances and pop up events and also a home for many artists.

Somerset Council said Zig Zag does not have the right planning permission and has served two enforcement notices on the owner Chris Black for breaches of planning control.

Mr Black said it was "not right" to issue them with an eviction notice

"It's a wonderful old sheepskin factory building," Mr Black said. "I was so lucky to get my hands on it and I managed to make it into a useful building.

"At the moment it's craft and living orientated. I'm interested in expanding the art and museum side of it over the coming years.

"Luckily, it doesn't cost much to live here. None of us are very good at making money, but it's not about making money.

"People pay about £1 a day rent to me.

"They should be able to live here. They could not afford to do the crafts and everything else and also pay £500 in rent in town.

"The council gave us no chance to comply or negotiate. It's not right."

Blanka Kolkova has lived on the site for 10 years and is worried about her future

Blanka Kolkova, a seamstress who has lived on the site for over 10 years, said Zig Zag has allowed her to "live her dream".

"I'm obsessed with colours, yarn and fabrics. I crochet, I knit, I embroider," she said.

"I came here 10 years ago. This place sounded weird and I wanted to check it out.

"I liked the community-feel of it and I opened a textile studio here. I started living in a caravan. It was a big change in my life.

"This is my dream, to do what I love to do, and it could disappear. I'm worried.

"They should recognise we are different. Not everyone who lives in a caravan has drug problems. We are active people, it's hard to get a job and still do these things, you need time and space.

"We can actually thrive in our passions. It would be amazing if we didn't have to feel like criminals."

Mr Black has appealed to a planning inspector to be able to stay on the site.

Council statement

Somerset Council said in a statement: "The council is aware of some of the more vulnerable people on the site and has provided social and housing advice and support.

"Part of the £26.3m Government funded Glastonbury Town Deal focuses on the improvement of facilities for non-bricks and mortar dwellers, which includes the potential development of a new site.

"The Planning Inspectorate held an Inquiry in mid-April and we await their result to consider next steps."

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