Residents' concerns as green spaces go to auction

Residents say they fear for the future of plots of privately owned green spaces in Leicestershire that are up for sale.

One plot in Oadby and six in Wigston, owned by housing developer Jelson, will go to auction on 25 September.

But residents in Wigston say they are concerned about what the land will be used for once it is purchased and if it will be kept tidy.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council had maintained the plots, on the Meadows Estate in Wigston and by Windrush Drive in Oadby, but never adopted them.

The authority said it had tended the land for the “benefit of the community”, as it had the resources to do so, but was now “under severe financial pressure”.

A spokesperson for Jelson said the company had "cut the areas" on its developments since the council's decision to stop maintaining them.

The council said all the plots were "designated areas of public spaces" and anyone who bought them would "take on the responsibility" for maintaining them.

Resident Carl Smith, 49, who lives on the Meadows Estate, said one of the "main concerns" was the land being turned into housing once it was auctioned.

He added: “The estate is actually called The Meadows, and it’s called The Meadows for a reason - that there’s green spaces around.”

Linda Debres, 76, said: “I just can’t believe it.

“We don’t want to see flats, on here you would only be able to build flats”.

Peter Crane said: “It’s a major shame.

“Technically, if a developer bought this land and managed to get planning consent from Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, they could build right up to the edge of my driveway.”

Neil O'Brien, MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, said he could not “guarantee” the land would not be used to build housing.

“Ultimately it will be up to the council, not to me, but I think their intention is not to allow these things to be built on”, he said.

Land off Windrush Drive in Oadby, spanning more than two acres, is the largest green space for sale and has a guide price of between £20,000 and £25,000.

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