Landowner’s U-turn over car access
A housing association has had a change of heart over sealing off a piece of land that would have cut off people from their garages and parking spaces.
Golding Homes owns waste ground behind about 80 homes in South Park Road and Plains Avenue, Maidstone, but became exasperated with the land being used as a dumping ground.
Their neighbourhood advisor, Stacey Stewart, wrote to residents: “I have reviewed the Land Registry documents for the private owners surrounding this land and there is no access to this patch of land stipulated.
“It is therefore my intention to close off the access indefinitely.”
The move incensed residents who have garages or parking spaces in their rear gardens.
Dave Lavelle, of South Park Road, pictured top, said: “I’ve lived here for 17 years and I always park in my rear garden.”
Golding Homes has now said it will install a gate with a combination lock.
A spokesman said: “We will fence off this area but provide access to residents whose gardens back on to this land.”