Fencing off of the Old Tidemill Wildlife Garden has started, with security presence at the site to be reduced once the work is complete, a Lewisham Council spokesperson said.

This comes after residents spoke out about an “atmosphere of intimidation” at the site for two weeks since scores of bailiffs evicted campaigners who had occupied the garden for two months.

But the conduct of protestors has been an issue, with 11 incidents – including unprovoked violence – recorded by security, a Lewisham Council spokesperson said.

“This site was illegally occupied by a small number of protesters and the council was forced to remove them to begin building 104 new social homes,” they said.

“There is an ongoing issue with the conduct of protestors, and to date there have been 11 recorded incidents on site, including attempted breaches to the garden and unprovoked violence towards the security team.

“The site is currently being hoarded and surveys will be taking place in preparation for the building works to begin.  Security will need to be on site until this is completed, however the number of security guards will be reduced until the hoarding works are complete.

“We have been made aware of some concerns from local residents in relation to the security guards on the site and will be raising these with the enforcement team.”

A Save Reginald Save Tidemill campaign spokeswoman said the group had not been told of any of the incidents.

“We know that local people are extremely angry at the heavy-handed and violent way campaigners were evicted from the garden and find the floodlighting, barking dogs and continued security presence unsettling,” she said.

“The camp set up spontaneously by some supporters is on a patch of grass, accessible 24/7 by anyone. We are not responsible for policing it.

“We do not condone abusive or violent behaviour, including that shown towards local residents and campaigners on Monday, October 29.

“We would also like to know why the council is spending thousands of pounds on security when they could have boarded up the site immediately.”

As of June, the council had also already spent £830,000 on “obtaining vacant possession and securing the site," according to a document seen by this publication. 

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said this included both the Tidemill and a site in Amersham Vale, which have been twinned together as part of development plans.