Imagine if your child was hurt from running out onto the road whilst playing in what should be an enclosed fenced play area. Imagine people from outside your estate damaging equipment, littering, being injured on the play area or injuring others and you have to pay for it!  

We are a group of concerned parents and residents of Cranfield Park (CP) which are unhappy on how Bloor and the Central Bedfordshire Council have handled the legalities of the new play area / skate park, located in the centre of the estate. 

A bit of background

As residents we started a discussion in 2019 regarding the play area. Last April, the park area began to be built, where we had noticed had been altered considerably into a different location vs the planning maps that were shown when purchasing properties in 2018. This naturally sparked questions and conversations.

Timeline of events / what’s been uncovered so far

• April 2019 - quickly recognised change in location of park area and facilities. When looked at Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) website planning amendments were submitted under the radar.
• Aug 2019 - numerous litter, anti-social behaviour, trying to set light to fencing, breaking and entry which led to verbal abuse. Reported to 101, Bloor, Community ASBO team and Council.
  Sept 2019 - Enquired with Bloor and CBC to understand why the position has changed and rules and regulations around the play area.
• Dec 2019 - meeting with the Parish Council who refused to take any ownership of the area, residents then discovered that the S106 (legal agreement which supports contributions to local area / school, parks etc) this policy states that the park area is for residents use only.  (meaning that residents pay the upkeep, maintenance, insurance, litter etc through the management company, Chamonix). Reported unauthorised access of people within the park to Bloor and the police.
• Jan 2020 - meeting between residents, Bloor, Parish Council and CBCouncil who confirmed the S106 / park area is for residents use only, however argued that anyone can access, use and potentially cause damage to this area. Proposed solutions to how this can be better managed, we are disappointedly still awaiting an outcome. Reported unauthorised access of people within the park to Bloor, CBC and the police.
• March / May 2020 - zoom meeting with Ken Matthews (Councillor for Cranfield, CBC) took place. Ken is in full support of this cause and is now  having conversations with CBC colleagues to look at this area being residents use only as residents pay for the upkeep. Reported unauthorised access of people within the park to Bloor, CBC and the police.
• June /July 2020 - continue to chase Bloor and CBC for a response/way forward. Issued formal complaint to the CBC on how the issue has been handled. Contacted local newspapers to tell our side of the story - Cranfield and Marston local paper are currently researching the matter. Reported further unauthorised access of people within the park to Bloor, CBC and the police.

Summary

Our key concerns are:

Residents of Cranfield Park are responsible and liable for the upkeep (cost of) all play areas however, it is open to everyone in Cranfield and the general public despite the agreement in everyone’s contract stating it is 'resident use' only.

What this means is:

If any persons outside of Cranfield Park were to cause damages, graffiti, litter, be injured on play area, injure others, vandalism, or damage equipment ALL CP RESIDENTS ARE LIABLE FOR THIS COST AS PER THE MANAGEMENT FEES, whether you use this facility or not and regardless of who causes the damage / issue
The result we want to achieve:

We are proposing two actions: 

1. The park be managed as per the original legal contract - access only to residents of Cranfield Park.
2. That a secure fence is erected around the play areas with keypad code so only residents can use this area. (as seen in Broughton, MK which is common around these type of facilities).

If you're also not happy about having to pay for this area and potential increased costs, please sign our petition! This will help show how many residents are concerned and will hopefully help us to be finally heard. 

You can also sign anonymously to keep your privacy. Remember to click on the confirmation email once signing.

Many thanks, we appreciate your support! 

Cranfield Park Residents, Play Area Group