TODAY on pages 16 and 17 we have gained exclusive access into the city’s new squat.

Not that this is any normal squat.

It’s preparing to open its doors to hundreds of people, according to some who are staying there.

And workshops are being offered which include learning to plumb and how to hang doors. This is serious business.

They have moved into what was an empty building which is owned by the University of Brighton.

Once can imagine the university bosses are not impressed.

But the protesters are vowing not to leave until the city council ends its Public Space Protection Orders. The council argues the orders are needed to ensure parks and open spaces can be enjoyed by residents.

First, the squatters forced entry and broke into the property.

It would be wrong to condone such behaviour.

Second, they want to highlight the number of empty buildings in the city at a time when people are sleeping on the streets.

We do have some sympathy with that argument, although very often there can be complex reasons why these individuals are indeed sleeping rough.

Third, the squatters say part of their protest at the university is alleged staff demotions and pay cuts.

Breaking into an empty building and creating a DIY squatted social centre and radical community space is not an appropriate way to oppose that.

Finally, the issue of Public Space Protection Orders is a complex and indeed controversial one. The jury remains out on that one.