Kicked into the long grass

NEAT: private gardens owned by neighbours

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Residents say council won’t let them buy land

NEIGHBOURS who want to buy and transform a patch of scrub land to the rear of their homes say they are being thwarted by the council.

Residents of Argus Street, Hollinwood, planned to purchase the overgrown ground and turn it into a usable, fenced-off garden area with benches.

The patch of land, owned by Oldham Council, is situated within an alley-gated area. As such, the council told neighbours it is not deemed a public highway so the council does not have to maintain it.

However, residents said they cannot afford the thousands of pounds it would cost to purchase the land from the council.

And they said although the council have offered them a lease to do up the land, it is on the proviso that the council can take the land back off them at any time.

Lee Dudley (33), a self-employed flooring contractor, said: “This land needs sorting out, it has been left overgrown and full of dog muck for about 18 months.

“Some neighbours use it for their dogs to mess but the council said they won’t clear it up because its not a public highway.

“The council told us it would cost thousands to buy it properly off them. In terms of a lease, they said it would cost me £150 in legal fees and £180 to own it for 12 months.

“They also said I’d have to pay to get the area fenced off, but they reserved the right to issue a six-month notice to take the land back.

“I’m not forking out the money, doing all the work only for them to be taking the land off me.

“I just want them either to do their job properly or let us do it.”

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “All we want to do is buy the land off the council at a reasonable rate.

“The council could have something nice here but they are making it difficult for people who want to take pride in where they live.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, said the neighbours were advised that the quickest way to proceed was with a licence agreement.

He said:“This would also be the cheapest way for the residents in terms of costs as it would avoid Land Registration costs associated with a longer term lease, and avoid them having to incur legal costs as they would not need to instruct a solicitor.

“If Mr Dudley wants to clear and tidy the area without progressing an agreement for a private garden then the council has in principle no objection providing he first arranges access with us.”