Woman living in shack refuses to move - despite council's threat to demolish it

15 September 2023 , 11:34

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Anne-Marie Cover has been living in the structure built around a tree on Railton Road, Brixton since she had to leave her former home in Clapham a few weeks ago (Image: Robert Firth)

A woman living in a shack she built in the middle of the path is refusing to move, despite council threats to demolish it.

Anne-Marie Cover built a makeshift structure around a tree on a quiet residential road in Brixton, south London and has been living there since early August. But Lambeth Council warned her that the temporary shack was an “obstruction” and it was due to be removed.

However, Ms Cover said she won’t be moved, and if they wanted to disassemble it, they’ll have to do so around her. Speaking to MyLondon, Ms Cover said: "I'm staying inside my home. They can't demolish it with me inside. I'm not homeless. I've got a home that I built here."

The shack is due to be removed at some point with Anne-Marie being supported by the council (Robert Firth)

She claimed the makeshift shack has become a “community hotspot” and that people stop and talk to her. She added: “People speak to me about various things. I never thought it would be a community hotspot. They are always coming here. Yesterday evening a woman was taking her mum out of hospital to give her final care and she came to see me and she started telling me about her mother's favourite songs. People have found solace here."

Ms Cover built the structure, which is made out of wooden pallets, Astroturf, strips of vinyl flooring, and plywood, among other materials, over a number of days last month after having to leave her former home in Clapham and facing homelessness.

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The woman built the structure and claims its her home now (Robert Firth)

More recently, Ms Cover has placed a bench outside the shack for locals to sit on and constructed an improved front door formed of two garden gates on top of each other. One local drawing enthusiast was inspired to sketch the house and gave a copy of the illustration to Ms Cover as a gift.

A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “We are continuing to support this vulnerable woman, and are progressing with efforts to help her off the streets. We are understanding of her needs and committed to helping her.”

Robert Firth