In no particular order, these are the typical issues being discussed in the Residents Association so feel free to contribute on the WhatsApp group or by using the contact page….
If you would like to join the Residents Association and be part of this important work then send us a message.
Parking
Parking on pavements and on common access areas is forbidden in a section of the covenants. Cars should only be parked in designated areas or on the main Marsh Road (so as not to cause obstruction or nuisance) and the guest spaces should only be used for our occasional guests.
Yet some seem to think that this covenant doesn’t apply to them, but it does apply to everyone on the estate. This is being actively tackled through both HML and the Housing Association and we are moving toward offending car owners being fined.
Parking on pavements is not only anti-social but as both the roadway and the pavement are suspended (to aid draining), it can cause real damage. Damage to the curb outside 3 Marsh Road is highly likely to have been caused by repeated pavement parking.
SORN Cars
There are a number of SORN designated cars parked on the estate, parked in residents parking bays. This restricts the available parking areas and has therefore contributed to cars parked on pavements. In addition these SORN cars have been observed and filmed being illegally driven on the public road and as this can affect out liability insurance it has been reported to the police.
The Play Area
This is still the responsibility of Croudace and will remain so until the council adopt it. If the play area needs repair then it must be reported as Croudace have to maintain it to a good and safe standard.
For the council to adopt it, the estate must be in good order and there have been inspections by Croudace and the council when it was found that many violations of planning had taken place (trees planted over drains, new paths created, buildings altered and erected etc.). This could be used by the council to not adopt and should be of significant concern to all residents as it could affect the ability to sell houses.
The latest news is that adoption is in the hands of the solicitors and so we expect resident directors to be appointed by October 2025.
Hedges & gardening
The hedges need to be 4 ft tall and no more – especially, the ones on the right as you come into Marsh Road if they restrict a drivers view coming around the corner. This is a Highways requirement and we could be fined if we do not comply.
There are also hedges that run along Merton Road on the west side. The problem is that hedges cannot be cut at certain times of the year to allow for bird nesting. Some of the hedges are the responsibility of our gardener Eugene and some the Housing Association (Bromford). This is being actively worked on. It is also believed that certain weeding activities cannot be done at certain times. This is also being discussed.
Anti-social behaviour
There have been reports of serious and unnecessary anti-social behaviour. Both HML and the Housing Association are dealing with this as under the covenants they both have responsibility for this. There have also been reports of the strong smell of cannabis on the estate and this has also been dealt with and action is ongoing with HML, Bromfords and the police.
Financials
We work closely with HML on all things financial so we can keep costs down and make sure that we are getting value for money. We have the lowest management fee of all other estates in Ambrosden and we also have a say in things like setting budgets. HML will send account details to the Residents Association in advance of each meeting and these are closely scrutinised.
Social media
The WhatsApp group is open to all residents and it looks like we have about half of the estate taking part. The more the merrier as it, along with this web site, are the main forms of communication. We are always open to suggestions…