In one of the most exclusive corners of London—where penthouses overlook Hyde Park and supercars cruise past five-star hotels—there’s been a long-running battle playing out just off the curb.
Park Lane, known for its luxury, is once again under tight surveillance after authorities dismantled yet another tent encampment that had formed along the central strip of grass.
Grass Patch Becomes Epicenter of Homeless Struggle
The area in question sits right in the heart of Westminster, where the average home sells for around £12 million.
For years now, that same green patch beside one of London’s busiest roads has quietly transformed into a gathering point for dozens of homeless migrants pitching tents and building makeshift shelters.
Some locals refer to it as a “tent city.” Others simply call it a nightmare.
Bailiffs Move In—Again
Earlier this month, about 50 bailiffs were called in to tear down the pop-up camp that had taken over the site once again.
It was the fourth time in just one year that the area had to be cleared out by enforcement officers.
And this time, Transport for London (TfL) isn’t taking any chances.
They’ve stepped up security dramatically, with teams of guards and even a canine unit now patrolling the area to prevent a repeat.
Rough Sleepers Slowly Return
Despite the recent eviction, the Daily Mail reports that some of those forced out have already made their way back.
When reporters visited weeks later, signs of reoccupation were already surfacing.
There are concerns that a new encampment could soon take shape—right under the noses of guards and local residents.
Wealthy Neighbours Aren’t Happy
Park Lane isn’t just any street. It’s home to some of the capital’s most prestigious hotels—The Dorchester, The Connaught, and the Hyatt Regency—as well as high-profile residents like former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Needless to say, the sight of tents and rough sleepers hasn’t gone down well with the neighbours.
One furious local summed up the mood: “What must tourists think when they come here expecting to see Buckingham Palace and end up seeing this instead? It’s disgraceful.”
Daily Life in the Camp
For the people living in the camp, the situation is a lot more complex.
Many are migrants who say they entered the UK legally on temporary visas but couldn’t find jobs.
One man, acting as a spokesperson for the group, said he came by plane looking for work and had left his children back home.
“We just stay here until we find something. We don’t have food or money,” he explained.
The Back-and-Forth Cycle
This isn’t the first—or likely the last—time that TfL and Westminster City Council have tried to clear out the area.
Every time enforcement is taken, it seems to only be a matter of days before people return.
And while locals complain about antisocial behaviour and public drinking at all hours, the reality is there are few clear solutions in sight.
Some residents claim they’ve witnessed people using nearby shrubbery as toilets, drinking vodka at sunrise, and generally lowering the tone of one of London’s most glamorous postcodes.
But for those in the camp, it’s a matter of survival.
Officials Call for Long-Term Fix
Both TfL and Westminster City Council have acknowledged the issue isn’t going away.
A council spokesperson said: “The central reservation of Park Lane is not a safe place for anybody to live.
We understand people’s frustration, and we’re working toward a long-term solution.”
TfL added: “Our focus has always been on the safety and welfare of everyone involved.
No one should be forced to sleep rough, especially not in such a dangerous part of the road network.”
The Bigger Picture
The recurring clashes over Park Lane’s “tent city” highlight the ongoing tension between the reality of homelessness and the backdrop of extreme wealth.
It’s a conflict being played out in plain sight—and until long-term solutions are found, it looks like the cycle of eviction and return will continue.