MFI Site Must be Protected against Unauthorised Encampments

3.36.56pm GMT Fri 19th Dec 2008

Liberal Democrat Councillors have made an urgent appeal to MFI's administrators to put physical protection in place at the site of the recently-closed furniture store on Norse Road in Goldington, warning that it is vulnerable to unauthorised traveller encampments.

Unauthorised encampments have appeared on the site in the past, and action was taken by the store's management in the form of concrete blocks placed across part of the parking area. Frequent encampments have also occurred on an old car park area adjacent to the site, including as recently as earlier this month. With the large store now closed down following the collapse of MFI, Ward Councillors fear that unless physical protection is put in place, unauthorised encampments on the site are inevitable.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Goldington Ward Philip Merryman has written to both the owners of the site and to the administrators for MFI, which holds the lease for the store, urging them to take action. Commenting on the issue, Cllr Merryman said: "Local residents are extremely concerned that the MFI site will be used for unauthorised encampments. Such encampments have caused severe disruption for local residents in recent times, and it is vital that action is taken at this site as the potential for encampments to appear here on the large, open, hard-standing car park over the winter is obvious.

"Obviously MFI's administrators will be occupied by the vast task of dealing with the firm's collapse, which is deeply regrettable and came as devastating news to its employees and their families. It is vital that they take the simple actions needed to prevent unauthorised encampments at this particular store, however, and now that I have made them fully aware of the issues I will continue to press them until action is taken.'

"If an unauthorised encampment appears at the privately-owned site, the council will not be able to move it on as that will be the responsibility of the landowners. What is really needed is a preventative measure to stop encampments appearing in the first place. I urge MFI's administrators to work with the landowners, the trustees of the Goldington Road Unit Trust, and act immediately."