Mums told to take down swing by their landlord
THE PARENTS PAID FOR THE SWING TO REPLACE A RUSTY UNSAFE METAL STRUCTURE
MUMS living in housing association flats are upset after being told to remove a swing and climbing frame from communal land by the landlord.
The outdoor play area was used by their young children outside their homes but the landlord has ordered that they be removed because of health and safety concerns.
The wooden structure, which has stood outside Trent & Dove’s property on Isis Way, Hilton since April this year, was a replacement for metal play equipment installed in April, 2020 which had become “unsafe”.
Both were purchased by tenant Ellie Carter, 28, a full-time mum, who has lived in her flat for eight years and Christina Jeffery, 31, a trained beautician who moved in eight months ago.
The mothers say their daughters – Senna, 9, and Georgina, 6, respectively – love using the equipment. It came in handy during lockdown meaning they can have time outside whilst not driving too far from their home, say the mums.
The situation has resulted in a standoff, with Ms Carter suggesting that she plans to sit on the equipment in protest and “just not get off”. Ms Carter said: “We bought it and then paid someone to put it up for us.
“It’s been up for eight months. We had another one there, a little rusty metal clinging frame, but it was about to break.
“And this one’s way nicer to look at. We had no permission for this one, we just assumed because they allowed us to put up the metal one, reports Derbyshirelive.
“If anyone falls off it, we’ve said it would be our fault – we wouldn’t sue or anything. I think that’s what they’re worried about.
“We just want to help the children; they get stir crazy as it is. If they come to take it down, I will sit on it and just won’t get off.”
Ms Jeffery said: “Both our older children have been playing on it. During the pandemic we didn’t want to have to keep going to the park.
“Ellie was here before me but I saw the climbing frame and thought it was really child-friendly around here. It looked like they welcomed families and I thought, ‘all right it’s going to be safe.’
“I’ve never lived in a housing association flat before. I was always private.”
The pair have started a petition, which has garnered more than 200 signatures, some from, Ms Jeffrey claims, as far away as York and Manchester.
Martyn Hale, Neighbourhoods Director at Trent & Dove, said: “Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge that the residents’ wish to ensure their children can enjoy outdoor space is one we share.
“We want to work with the community to find a suitable resolution that considers their continued health and well-being. We understand the need for local children to have somewhere to play, but we need to balance this against the needs of other residents.
“The land is communal and shared with all, and other tenants have the legal right to use the space. We need to ensure everyone is safe.
“Although the residents who erected the play equipment have said they will sign a disclaimer, unfortunately, the area is open land so we have to look at any risks of the general public using the equipment unsupervised. We will contact the residents to discuss this further to explain our concerns and look for a resolution that works for all.”