ACTIVISTS have taken control of another Lewisham Council-owned property.

During a meeting of Lewisham People Before Profit (LPBP) yesterday (March 10) they decided to occupy the property, a lockup workshop in Harts Lane, New Cross.

LPBP says they occupied the building because it had been empty for two years and was being left to deteriorate.

Renovation of the premises was set to start today with the aim to return the workshop where it can be used as a place of business.

In the meantime activists plan to use of the space as an art gallery for local artists and, possibly, a rehearsal space for local amateur bands.

LPBP is organising a benefit event in a couple of weeks to raise money for its housing campaign.

The lockup garage/ workshop was set to be sold at auction a month ago, along with five houses.

Lewisham Council withdrew all the properties from the auction following the news that the five houses had been occupied by LBPB.

A LPBP spokesman said: “It is unclear why Lewisham Council withdrew the garage from sale as LPBP never claimed to have occupied it.

“One explanation is that the council realised that the sale of council assets was deeply unpopular; another is that the council housing department is simply confused and disorganised.”