Locals in a famous UK town are furious as “hippies” have set up a “shanty town of caravans” next to their homes.
People interested in “alternative lifestyles” are coming to Glastonbury to live on the grounds of a “derelict listed building”, causing “distress” to those who live nearby.
The ZigZag building, which was built in 1934 to manufacture sheepskin products, has become a home of sorts for these people. There are also 200 caravans and other similar temporary residences around the town.
Supermarket staff are now complaining of an increase in shoplifting and residents are planning to move their children away from nearby schools.
Retired carpenter Les Webb, 76, told the Sun: “We’ve had a real problem with those seeking an alternative lifestyle coming to Glastonbury.
“They come here looking for some sort of idyllic life and end up living on the grounds of a derelict listed building. Some have even made the ZigZag building their home.”
Another resident said there was a real problem with a “loose-knit shanty town” of travellers.
Michael Dobson, 56, said: “To talk about Glastonbury as a place of refuge and compassion is to absolutely ignore the awful experiences of people who have to live near these loose-knit shanty towns.
“Staff at local supermarkets have complained to us about the amount of shoplifting which is coming from the people living in the caravans around their shops. People are frightened about the amount of people coming into the town who have got absolutely no connection with the area.”
Another local added: “I’m not saying that people who live up there are by definition antisocial and behave badly – I’m sure that is not true at all. But the situation is at the moment that there are people living up there that cause a great deal of distress to the residents.
“Ordinary people around the town are fed up. There are people who are moving their children from a local school because of the antisocial behaviour.”
A public inquiry into alleged planning breaches relating to the use of The ZigZag building ended last week.
Somerset Council has issued enforcement notices after expressing concerns about the building’s new use, as well as the living conditions of those in the building.
In the enforcement notices the council demanded the unauthorised mixed use of the land for storage and residential use was stopped; all caravans, steel containers, goods and chattels were permanently removed; and the land was restored to its original condition before the unauthorised material change of use.
On ZigZag’s Facebook page, a spokesman wrote last month: “During [the] last decade Zigzag became a sanctuary or home for 146 people from 21 nationalities (so far we can remember), who stayed more than 2 weeks, mostly for months, many for years…
“We will always be grateful to Zigzag, this amazing, magical, crazy and never boring place in the edge of industrial estate of Glastonbury…Zigzag our home, playground and the best dancefloor in the world.”
When asked about local complaints, a spokesperson for Somerset Council said: “If people witness anti-social behaviour such as street drinking, vandalism or littering they should report it to the Police or to Somerset Council.
“Reports of antisocial behaviour will help the Council and its partners to tackle problems together. The Council can be contacted on 0300 123 2224 where a report will be passed on to the Community Safety Team to investigate. Police can be contacted by phoning 101 or in an emergency 999.”
