After 10 months of occupation by local residents, Oxfords last remaining boatyard, Castle Mill boatyard, finally succumbed to the forces of darkness this morning when it was evicted by dozens of bailiffs, security guards and police. The boatyard’s owners, public corporation British Waterways, want to sell the land for development despite planning permission for the site having been repeatedly refused. Property developers Castlemore are rumoured to be interested in acquiring the site. At the time of writing British Waterways are craning boats still undergoing repair back into the water and several people have been arrested whilst trying to defend their homes.

Other articles and websites of interest on this subject:

Corporate Watch's photographs from the May 31st eviction

'Dark deeds along the towpath' Guardian article by Philip Pullman

Oxford Indymedia on the eviction.

Save Castle Mill Boatyard Campaign.