Six men occupying Vestas Isle of Wight site given midday deadline to leave

Protesters who have spent the last two weeks occupying the Vestas wind-turbine production company in the Isle of Wight have until midday today to leave or face eviction by bailiffs.

Six men remain at the plant, protesting at the closure of the 600-job plant which is the largest wind-turbine production plant in the UK. Bailiffs received permission from a magistrate on Tuesday to evict the remaining protesters, and gave notice yesterday of a deadline of 12 today to vacate the plant.

Vestas has blamed tough market conditions and problems gaining planning permissions for its decision to close the plant. The sit-in protest began on the 22 of July by approximately 25 workers.

One of the workers inside the building told the BBC: "We are all still saying we want to stay as long as we can. But we have said all along we will come out peacefully when it ends."

He added: "We don't want to give in to Vestas management, considering the way they have treated us."

Topics