It was a sunny summer’s day when a group of 30 eco-warriors set up camp on a disused field earmarked for development next to Kew Bridge.

Six months later, the residents of the impromptu sustainable community are still living on the former Scottish Widows site, in Kew Bridge Road, Brentford, despite the looming threat of a nine-storey block of flats being built there by developer and site owner St George.

The sub zero temperatures brought by the big freeze – one of the lengthiest cold spells to hit the capital in more than a decade – have also failed to deter the eco-villagers from leaving their wooden structures, herb gardens and compost toilet and shower.

Peace activist Gareth Newnham, 30, said: “Actually, the coldest time for me was the first night back in June. Since then we have become a lot more organised and now that winter’s here we are unaffected by the weather.

“A few weeks ago we had a six month celebration and invited people from the community to a fire party. It was a great success.”

In September last year, villagers cheered when Hounslow councillors put off a plan by St George to build 164 flats, a riverside pub, a business hub and a piazza on the site.

The development is not due to be discussed by a council committee before March and, with local elections taking place in May, a meeting may not take place until June – meaning the eco-village may remain for another six months.

The eco-warriors are confident of a longer stay however, and have announced plans to plant a vegetable garden to sustain them throughout the summer and next winter.

Hounslow police have already told community members that officers would not get involved in the situation providing laws were not being broken.

The camp has 32 permanent residents and, although villagers welcome short staying visitors, it is now at maximum capacity.

A spokesman for St George refused to comment on the developer’s intentions regarding the eco-village and whether it would attempt to evict its residents.

He said: “We remain committed to try and get planning permission as soon as possible in 2010.”

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