Council comment on privately owned green space in the borough

Published: Wednesday, 4 September 2024

The council is aware of local speculation about sales listings that have appeared for some privately owned open space in the borough, and has made the following statement to help keep residents informed:

Cllr Samia Haq, Leader of Oadby & Wigston Borough Council, said: “When developers build new homes and housing estates, from which they regularly make huge profits, they should make arrangements for the maintenance of the public green spaces.

“This usually involves using a management company or paying a lump sum to the local council to maintain the land.

“For many years a number of housebuilders in Oadby & Wigston have been neglecting to take responsibility for making these arrangements and expecting local taxpayers to pick up the cost.

“The borough council would be willing to continue to maintain these areas of land subject to a legal agreement which includes a commuted lump sum for maintenance or on a contractual basis with the developers.

“We’re aware some of these parcels of land are now up for sale. Any purchaser would take on the responsibility for maintaining the land and need to consider that these are designated areas of public open space.

“As is well-known, councils are under severe financial pressure, and Oadby & Wigston is no different. Now more than ever, our taxpayers expect us to spend their money wisely and this is an example of ensuring we do just that.”