A battle is underway in Glastonbury as residents living in a site deemed ‘unfit for humans’ face eviction from the town’s Zig Zag building – a hub once celebrated as a sanctuary for artists and alternative living. Local campaigners argue that it is not just a planning dispute, but a fight for the town’s soul.
At a recent Glastonbury Town Council meeting, Rohan Black emphasized that the forced removal of people living at the Zig Zag building was exacerbating local homelessness and challenging the town’s long-standing values of creativity and inclusiveness. According to him, this is about the identity of Glastonbury and the collective responsibility to uphold its values.
The Zig Zag, located in a former factory on the town’s outskirts, has been a creative space and refuge, hosting exhibitions, performances, and talks. It has also served as an unofficial support network for the town’s ‘non-bricks and mortar’ community, especially amidst rising homelessness in nearby areas.
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Since March 2023, Somerset Council has been pursuing enforcement action against the site, claiming it is unfit for human habitation. Despite the owner’s efforts, an appeal was lost and an order to remove all caravans and restore the land was issued.
Chris Black, the owner, has raised concerns about the practicality and reasonableness of the order and the impact on the project’s resources due to legal battles. He denies wanting to cause homelessness and has expressed a willingness to engage in a dialogue with the council.
While Somerset Council has acknowledged the challenges facing van dwellers and expressed plans to identify suitable sites for temporary and permanent pitches, residents of the Zig Zag have been directed to comply with the eviction order.
Rohan Black urged the council to take compassionate and creative action, proposing providing temporary accommodation or safe parking zones for van dwellers and forming a working group with the non-bricks and mortar community.
