Residents in Palm Bay say they are shocking to discover a plot of green amenity space on the estate has been put up for auction.
New owners Greenfurb has put the site at the rear of Sandhurst Road forward to go under the hammer on March 20.
The plot has been a green space for residents for more than 40 years but residents fear it will no longer be available for community use if sold.
Resident Julia Silcock said: “We were so shocked to find out that the green amenity space behind us is to be auctioned on March 20th.
“Sunley’s built the estate with these green spaces for amenity use and it is covered by a covenant. This space should be safe from development.
“People, and dog walkers use the area regularly. Some children play there. We even had a neighbours’ tea there to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee. Foxes and mice are seen there at night.
“It needs to remain a green space. It must not go to ‘land grabbers’ for development but be retained for community use.”
Neighbour Sabina Wilmhurst added: “We have lived with this piece of land backing onto our garden for the past 41 years. It was originally one of the reasons we bought the house we live in.
“It has become a place of play for not only our two boys and grandchildren but for other children who have grown up in the area.
“It is also a place of conservation, home to many types of wildlife. At this moment we have a fox den that has been there for several years, hedgehogs and bats, not to mention the birdlife.
“The field is a place of gathering for national celebrations especially the Golden Jubilee.”
The freehold for the 0.3 Acres of land is being offered by Auction House London with a guide price of £1,000 plus fees.
Ward councillor Barry Manners says it is hoped that the developer will withdraw the plot and start discussions with residents about a takeover either for maintenance or by sale.
He said: “When the estate was originally developed the land was a community amenity and used as a children’s play area.
“We have just found out about the sale, there has been no consultation with local residents whose homes it backs on to.
“It is a rare piece of public recreational green space on an otherwise densely built estate
“My request is that first refusal is given to residents within a sensible timescale, say six months, to buy and thereafter manage the land for its original intended purpose.
“That means withdrawing plot from sale and consulting with affected residents who bought Sunley Development homes.”
Residents are invited to a meeting about the sale, being held tonight (March 10) 6.30pm at St Philips Church.
It is understood Sunley Developments recently sold the plot to company Greenfurb Ltd.
Robert Bordi is listed as the sole director of Greenfurb Ltd, a company said to specialise in “buying and selling of own real estate” and “letting and operating of own or leased real estate.”
I am in shocking as well.
The price seems very cheap for it to be bought by the community which lives in the area. Good luck – I hope you are successful.
The community could easily raise the £1000 needed to secure it’s future for all to use, and maybe secure a return on the outlay by the renting out for special events like the car show each year. One event would raise more than enough to make a profit even.
But why doesn’t the local councillors claim the open space as a town green before TDC planners give consent to anyone? then it would be saved from development.
How many houses on that then
You could get a nice block of flats on there. It would go some small way towards housing the 1,600 people we welcomed last week . . .
How many did we send home in the same week, Sir/Maam Reform voter? A question I oft ask of those bemoaning those fleeing persecution and warzones.
Oh come on, France isn’t THAT bad (is it?)
Easy answer to that is none !!!
Most properties appear to have sufficient gardens both front and rear, why the need for more……
Oh! I know, house values, that’s all the people are interested in, nothing to do with community space, be honest for gawds sake.
Hi mate, just because you’d wanna protect it for that, doesn’t mean everyone else does.
“Goyim” is Yiddish and means “Gentile”, “not Jewish”.
Secure it as a town green open space !