PLAY AREA SHUTS AS THE REST OPEN
Parents angry over developer’s decision
FRUSTRATED parents have hit out a developer after a play area was closed down – the day before other playgrounds were allowed to open across England.
Furious Sall Fenton says her two boys, aged eight and five, are left longingly staring at the now locked-down football and basketball courts on the Sancerre Grange estate where they live in Eccleshall.
The other play equipment has also been cordoned off following a visit from a Bovis Homes employee. The property developer built and retains ownership of the nearcomplete housing estate.
Forty-year-old Mrs Fenton, who works as a sales manager, said: “There were no signs or any official closure from Bovis on March 23 or any day after when parks were officially closed by the Government.
“The day before parks were officially opened by the Government on July 4, a Bovis contractor turned up and put signs and barricades up saying the park is now closed.
“Bovis customer service say they have closed the park as they aren’t able to follow Government guidelines to open it. Well, it was never actually closed.
“Government guidelines are just guidelines but, broadly, they say put up signs to advise twometre social distance. Bovis have managed to put up signs to say the park is closed! Also they advise hand washing and to maybe install a hand sanitiser pump.
“Small businesses on our high streets are managing to open and have invested in screens, signs and PPE to enable them to operate. Why can’t a big multinational business get a small park open?
“The kids have had their whole worlds changed. They can’t go to school or see their friends. Being able to play football or basketball within the safety of our social bubble was a small amount of normality for them.
“The other new Taylor Wimpey housing development in Eccleshall have had their park open.”
A spokesman for Bovis Homes said: “Up until the start of July, the Government guidance was that parents should not allow children to play in play areas during the lockdown.
“The revised regulations then required owners to carry out risk assessments of their play areas – which come in a wide variety of sizes and formats.
“Our assessment has shaped our approach, which is to keep this area closed to public use for the time being for the health and safety of the public and our employees and contractors, although we will regularly be reviewing this situation alongside Government guidance.”