RESIDENTS of a relatively new housing estate are demanding the council “reconsider” supporting the upkeep of its child play areas – adding households could end up paying a maintenance company more for the privilege.

People from the Pine Trees estate in High Wycombe are petitioning Bucks Council to ‘reverse its decision of denying support’ to help maintain some play areas – arguing the authority receives council tax from the whole estate.

More than 300 people have signed the petition, arguing there are families who “do not use” the play areas and who may still be impacted by increased charges via a separate company.

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Bucks Free Press:

CAMPAIGNERS: 'Not fair on households that do not use the areas'

“We the undersigned petition the council to reconsider its decision of denying support for the maintenance of the children’s play areas on the Pine Trees estate for the safety and wellbeing of the children of this community,” they write.

It goes on to say council support is requested “as part of the council tax revenue they now receive from this relatively new housing area”.

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Adding: “It has been suggested this area may be covered by a maintenance company, to which households already pay a fee. This may incur increased charges to all households on the estate.”

They claim this is “not fair on households that do not use the areas”, and that the play areas are close to a school and open to public access, “so not confined to the local residents”.

The petition closes on April 9.

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