the essential
A shanty town was set up a few months ago, in the parking lot of an office building, near the Cité de l’espace in Toulouse. Residents complain of nuisance.
“It’s really very, very dirty and we often hear shouting, loud music, they’re making fires in the parking lot…” Estelle lives about fifty meters away. In the parking lot and in a building which notably housed the Haute-Garonne Hunting Federation until 2022, an impressive squat has been set up. At 17 avenue Jean-Gonord, the entrance to the parking lot is blocked by concrete blocks.
Closed by concrete blocks
The building, which we were unable to enter, is graffitied from the outside. Piles of rubbish are formed in front. Small cabins were built in the parking lot. The people who live there all year round did not wish to speak. There are several dozen of them.
DDM
“No one really dares to venture there. When we call Allô Toulouse, we are told that there is a procedure in progress…”
Right next door, several companies have offices and welcome the public. “It is certain that this is not really what we expect when we receive a customer. But we have no problems with the occupants,” explains a manager.
“People quickly squatted”
All around, the green base, the Hers gymnasium where many children play and train all year round. “When we pass through here, obviously, we don’t feel very safe. At the same time, if they settled here, it’s because they didn’t really have a choice. Afterwards, it’s a shame to damage a building”, slips a jogger, encountered this Wednesday, December 25.
“There were quickly people who squatted, as soon as the premises were empty, several months ago,” adds Estelle. According to the Haute-Garonne prefecture, requested, the owner of the premises has not, to date, initiated legal proceedings against the squatters.
