Homeowners angered over bills to maintain housing estate

Homeowners angered over bills to maintain housing estate

25 February 2015

DOWN Council is to seek legal advice on a request that it should assume responsibility for maintaining open space areas at a private housing development in Castlewellan.

The request was tabled at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority by councillor Stephen Burns who outlined problems residents at The Grange development are having with a private management company.

He said residents have concerns about bills they have been issued with for maintaining the open space areas at the estate and insist no management agreement formed part of their purchase agreements for the 61 homes which make up the development.

Councillor Burns said residents are refusing to pay any money to the management company because they are not getting the service they expect. He also revealed the current amount the management company claims it is owed is in the region of £6,000.

“The bill equates to around £400 per household. While there are 61 homes in the development, only 51 are being billed for some reason,” he explained.

Councillor Burns admitted while a decision by Down Council to take responsibility for managing the open space areas at a private estate would set a precedent, he said as ratepayers the residents deserve help.

“These people cannot sell their homes with the outstanding debt hanging over them. We can close our eyes and say this is not our problem or we can do the right thing and help people in what is a mixed area,” he added.

Councillors Terry Andrews, Anne McAleenan, Dermot Curran and Carmel O’Boyle said while they have sympathy for the residents, Down Council would need to seek legal advice on the issue.

Council chief executive, Mr. John Dumigan, agreed legal opinion would be required and undertook to have a look at the issue to determine what options were available moving forward.

Councillors agreed that council officers would investigate councillor Burns’ request which would include seeking legal advice. It was also decided that if the information was not made available before the end of next month when Down Council goes out of business, the matter would be referred to the new Newry, Mourne and Down super council.

Councillors also agreed that the chief executive of the new council, Mr. Liam Hannaway, should be made aware of what Down Council is proposing to do in relation to the request tabled by councillor Burns.