Work will finally start to maintain a community park that a resident says has been “neglected” for months. 

The park on Plomer Hill in Downley has not had the grass cut since August last year, a disgruntled resident said – with complaints that dog walkers are losing their pets in the long grass. 

A Red Kite Community Housing tenant, who did not want to be named, said residents are “fed up” with not being able to use the important open space, which is usually popular with families, dog walkers and joggers. 

He said: “It has been abandoned since August last year, the grass hasn’t been cut and it hasn’t been looked after at all. Aside from The Common, it is the main park for Downley and it is huge. 

“Local people can’t go up there anymore – the grass is 2ft long. Everyone is really fed up with the situation. There are old ladies who can’t walk their dogs because they will lose them in the grass. You can’t go there and relax and enjoy it.” 

The resident claims the park has been abandoned because of a disagreement between Red Kite Community Housing and Wycombe District Council about who should maintain it.

He added: “The council maintained it for five years then they said they didn’t own it anymore. Now we have no idea who should be looking after it. I have emailed Red Kite and Wycombe District Council but I still don’t have any answers.

“It just really needs to be sorted out for the good of the residents.” 

A spokesman for Red Kite said the council’s ownership of the park has been “confirmed by all parties and is not disputed”, adding: “Maintenance is therefore the responsibility of the local authority, so residents should contact the council directly.” 

However, there is still confusion around whose responsibility it is as a council representative said the ownership of the park will come back to them this year. But plans are afoot to make improvements.

Shauna Hitchens, a spokesman for Wycombe District Council, said: “The council is delighted that the Plomer Hill open space will return to its management this year.

"It is an asset to the town and district, providing beautiful views into the Chilterns, and a welcoming place for local residents to play football, basketball, stroll, picnic or just relax in.

"We ask residents to bear with us while we get on top of the maintenance of the site over the next few weeks. 

“We plan to close mow the upper part of the open space, while leaving fringes as meadow with paths mowed through. 

“We also plan to carry out remedial tree works and re-establish the footpath that borders the lower open space and which remains in Red Kite Housing’s ownership.

"Users of the open space are welcome to contact us if they have any concerns about the open space now or in the future and we will install a sign with contact details on.”