Haddon Road Stamford residents voice concerns over future of green space
Residents are worried about what is happening in their street after a grass area outside their homes was dug up this week.
The green space in Haddon Road, Stamford, was one of 31 pockets of land sold off over time to individual buyers by developer Jelson Homes.
One area had been fenced off for about 15 months and the grass left uncut, but recent activity - including a tree being chopped down and metal fencing being removed - left those living nearby concerned as to what was going on. On Tuesday, the tree stump and grass was dug up.
One Haddon Road resident said he was worried about how the land was going to be used.
“What we fear is that something will be done here without planning permission and then the owner of the land will go for retrospective permission from South Kesteven District Council. Meanwhile, we have to put up with whatever it is.”
He said a planning enforcement officer from the council had been to the site and that he and other neighbours were awaiting feedback.
A neighbour added that whatever happens on this land could set a precedent for any of the other green spaces in Stamford. “The trouble is, we can’t do anything about it,” she said.
On Wednesday, Stamford town councillors Steve Carroll, Amanda Wheeler, Shaun Ford and Harrish Bisnauthsing went to speak with Haddon Road residents.
Coun Carroll, chairman of the town council’s planning committee, said: “This is causing grave concerns for residents - the worry of not knowing puts a strain on the community and, as a result, their wellbeing is being compromised.”
Jamie Smith, 30, the owner of the land, said his aim was not to cause upset or fall out with anyone, but to have “somewhere to call home”.
“My plan is to live here,” he said. “I’m currently living on the side of a road with no toilet, no electricity, and with three children and my wife.
“I’m originally from Wales but have been living in the area for a few years. I’m from the gypsy and travelling community, and sometimes we are made to feel unwelcome.
“Like any people, whatever their skin colour or where they come from, there are good people and there are bad people. Often people jump the gun when they hear that we’re gypsies and make the wrong assumptions.
“I have savings and my preference is to have somewhere to call home and to be left alone in peace - as anyone else does.”
Mr Smith, whose children are aged seven, three and two, said he didn’t want them to have to continue to live on the side of a road.
“We’re not thieves. I have a legitimate business and I pay my taxes like everyone else. I’ve got nothing to hide.”
Mr Smith said he will be putting a wooden fence around the land and installing a gate, work which should be completed by Monday. He said he had not planned anything beyond that.
A previous owner of the land had applied to South Kesteven District Council to build a house, but this was turned down and a subsequent appeal against the decision was rejected.
No new planning application for the site has been lodged.