Criticism sees sign U-turn at play park
A major housing developer has removed a “discriminatory” sign from a children’s play park in Perth following vehement complaints from outraged local parents.
The notice at the £1 billion Bertha Park estate read that the park by Croll Gardens was for “resident use only”, excluding kids from elsewhere in the development.
Erected by factoring firm Screen Autumn on behalf of Springfield Properties, the sign was put up after the company received an “overwhelming number” of complaints by neighbouring Springfield residents of children from the high school and social housing using the park.
Homeowners were given 14 days to consult on the sign going up but, despite objections, it was installed regardless.
Parents and local residents exempt from using the park voiced their distain at the move on social media and to the developer, with local mum Nic Crossley saying the nearest other park was at least a 20-minute walk away.
Springfield Properties has apologised since the outcry and the sign was removed in midweek.
“It’s great news,” Nic told the PA. “We objected to the sign originally because we have nieces.
“But then when the factoring company responded that they’d had complaints about kids from the high school and social housing using it, we were outraged.
“Our kids play with all the kids at Bertha Park not just the ones in the Springfield development.
“Plus there are no other parks – I mean they said they couldn’t enforce it but we found the whole concept rude and discriminatory.
“We are delighted we could get it down – I wish the factoring company had listened to our objections initially and not bowed down to nimbyism.
“As far as we’re concerned Bertha Park is a community and it doesn’t matter if you own or rent or are part of a private development or social housing – this is our new village and it’s great.
“Everyone is welcome to play.”
A spokesperson from Screen Autumn said: “We are sincerely sorry for the installation of the sign at Bertha Park and take responsibility for the decision which was made without prior consultation with Springfield Properties, or admittedly, without proper thought given to how this would make the community feel.
“It was never our intention to make members of the community feel unwelcome, however, we understand where the confusion and upset has arisen from.
“The sign has now been removed and we hope that all children, their friends and families will continue to enjoy the space as it was intended.”
Springfield central managing director Peter Matthews said: “The play park sign has caused residents of the village to feel unwelcome which goes against everything we stand for at Springfield Properties.
“Whilst we take ownership for this mistake, let us be clear that we were not consulted by Screen Autumn about the sign in advance of its installation and had we been, we would have strongly opposed.”