Flashback: Eco-Warriors Protest Greene King’s Access Road in Bury St Edmunds
A look back at the eco-warriors’ protest against Greene King’s access road in Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds, Greene King, Eco-Warriors, Protest, Access Road, Suffolk
Bury St Edmunds: Remember when eco-warriors made headlines by living in trees? It was back in the late ’90s when they protested against Greene King’s plans for a new access road.
Greene King wanted to build a 200-meter road to their warehouse, claiming it would ease traffic in the historic town. But locals were worried about the environmental impact.
In 1997, the company applied for planning permission, and that’s when the protests kicked off. Eco-warriors from all over the country showed up, ready to camp out in the Water Meadows.
They set up tree houses and even had a “love shack” caravan. It was quite the scene! They were determined to stop the road from being built, and they made their voices heard.
Some protesters even went on hunger strikes, while others organized events to raise awareness. It was a real community effort, with people bringing food and supplies to support the cause.
Despite the protests, the planning committee eventually approved the road. But the eco-warriors didn’t back down easily. They continued to occupy the area, even after the council gave Greene King the green light.
In April 1998, after months of protests, the eco-warriors were evicted. They left quietly, but not without a sense of loss. They felt they were fighting for something bigger than just a piece of land.
Years later, Greene King did get their access road built, but the memories of those passionate protests still linger in the community. It was a time when people stood up for what they believed in, and it made quite an impact.