Once-hopeful householders feel betrayed by their council after a public space was given ‘approval’ without their involvement.
The Dovecote Residents Association, formed of members living in Bloor Homes’ housing development in Drayton, near Abingdon, claims it had been working closely with Vale of White Horse District Council’s planning team on preparations for handing over a public space.
In March last year, the planning team allegedly needed to take a step back due to a council reorganisation.
READ MORE: Leading musician speaks out on university cuts
At which time the residents’ association had produced a list of work that needed to be completed, or fixed in the public space, before it was handed over to the developers’ management company.
The council said it inspected the public open space earlier this year and certified it as ‘practically complete’.
Which marks the beginning of a 12-month maintenance period, during which, Bloor Homes is required to undertake any work identified as part of that inspection and any issues that arise during that period.
The residents’ association claim they had been chasing the council to find out what was happening with the space, and had heard nothing in 18 months.
Chair of the association Nigel Billingham said: “It’s an absolute betrayal. We’ve tried to engage and influence the process as the people who will ultimately be using the space, and we thought we had succeeded in having our voices heard.
“We were waiting for the council to start visiting the site again. Then suddenly, out of the blue, I was invited to an inspection meeting where Bloor Homes was present, and the manager said they had been given a certificate of practical completion.
“We feel we’ve been stabbed in the back. We had a good relationship with the council, they took a hiatus and it went quiet.
"Then not only did they not invite us, they couldn’t even be bothered to tell us they’d issued this certificate.
“Now it’s likely that large service charges will be handed to the residents by the developer’s management company, even though the public space isn’t ready.”
Vale of White Horse council said it is aware of the residents’ concerns, but highlights that this is not an unusual situation.
A spokesperson said: “We understand some residents at The Dovecote have concerns around potential service charges from an independent management company appointed by their developer.
“This is not an unusual situation across the country, but we do not have any direct powers to determine how open spaces on a development are managed post-completion.
“However, we encourage residents to speak with Bloor Homes to work towards an outcome that is satisfactory for all parties.”
A spokesperson for Bloor Homes, said: “We can confirm that, in accordance with the approved planning permission, our development off High Street in Drayton achieved a Certificate of Practical Completion from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council.
“We continue to engage with both South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council and The Dovecote Residents’ Association as we seek to provide a satisfactory outcome for all parties involved.”
Read more from this author
This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.
Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel