Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask who I’m supposed to report my CF neighbour to?

157 replies

BarkItOff · 20/06/2025 19:49

I live on a new build estate, it’s been up a few years now but the roads are still unadopted so it’s ‘technically’ private.

There is a park on the estate and there are 2 access points to this park. 1 at the entrance to the estate and 1 further down the estate close to a neighbouring estate.

One of the neighbours has put a sign up further down, stating private road, I mean technically yes but public access is still allowed but the CF has also put a chain and padlock on the gate to the path that leads to the park with a sign saying private!

I have been told this was because children from the neighbouring estate were using the park via this entrance and as we pay for the upkeep of the park it’s private. Except it’s not! It’s still a park able to be accessed by anyone. It’s made it particularly annoying for people on this side of the new build estate that have children as you have to walk all the way round to the front to get onto the park when there is literally a gate that leads to an access path right in front of you. And those of us that walk dogs there like to walk full circle, in one end and out the other and now we have to double back.

As the roads are unadopted will the council sort this and point out that she doesn’t own the park. The builders are long gone and we’re a nightmare to chase up snagging never mind anything else so they will be no help. The management company doesn’t want to know and say it’s not their responsibility. I’m tempted to go and cut the chain but I guess that’s criminal damage as she owns the chain.

OP posts:
jesihar · 20/06/2025 21:50

Wow

facebook?? Community page. Locals will have been supportive of the park and development.

I could almost follow her thinking if it was something like a dog agility park for “the street” but a park! For kids!! Crazy

EmeraldShamrock000 · 20/06/2025 21:41

Echoing others, council and fire station.
She's an idiot.

EquinoxQueen · 20/06/2025 21:39

it should actually be the management company who sorts this out. Used to happen years ago when people in market houses prevented those in affordable houses accessing play parks on a new build - all houses on the new build estate. Pretty disgusting really.

at that time I believe that the planning department could get involved as the location and type of play equipment would be controlled by condition or section 106 agreement. It could also fall within the landscape management plan (condition / section 106) or management company.

report to planning enforcement and also let your local councillor know.

but the quickest should be via the management company (who would be the ones responsible if enforcement got involved).

also on many new builds the roads aren’t adopted because the council can’t afford to take on maintenance. So you may find they are never adopted.

LiquoriceStick · 20/06/2025 21:39

Wear a disguise and have an outing at 1am tonight with some bolt cutters.

Left · 20/06/2025 21:33

Report it as a blocked footpath to your local council parish/county/borough/city and then escalate via your local councillor.

Binglebong · 20/06/2025 21:20

If you could get your neighbours involved you can go one by one to get her to unlock it. Next person waits long enough for her to sit down then needs it unlocking. And so on. Make it a problem for her.

CrackOnThen · 20/06/2025 21:18

I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from cutting it off. I’d be incandescent. I cannot stand stuff like this.

Rinkali · 20/06/2025 21:10

Take it in turns to cover yourselves in a Scooby Doo ghost sheet with WIND YOUR NECK IN, MARGARET written on it, and cut the chain for as long as it takes. It could bring you together as a local community, inventing new disguises for her Ring doorbell. Someone surely knows someone who's run a Marathon dressed as a giant inflatable telephone, or owns a wetsuit with diving mask?

Anzena · 20/06/2025 21:07

I don't think I'd cut the lock off on my own, but if there are other residents affected and you can get a group together, then I would be there with them, either to cut the lock myself or have someone else do it whilst we were all there together. Safety in numbers and all that.

The absolute snobby cheek of this woman. I'd be livid. I have a park at the back of my house with two entrances down a side lane. One of them is right outside my back gate. It's no problem, no issue, just kids, bikes, walkers and doggie exercising!

CremeEggThief · 20/06/2025 21:03

BarkItOff · 20/06/2025 20:05

It’s directly across from her front door so her ring camera will pick it up and I just know she’s the type to report criminal damage seeing as she believes she solely owns the park.

So what if she sees?
She had no right to put it there in the first place!

BarkItOff · 20/06/2025 20:52

YaWeeFurryBastard · 20/06/2025 20:43

Yes it’s very common for there to be a playground on a new build development as part of the deal for getting the planning permission, in order to enhance the local area. I’ve lived on one such estate and the residents were absolutely foaming that “non-estate” children were using the park, ridiculous.

I’d just cut the bolt and deal with the consequences, police would say it’s a civil matter.

Sounds like my neighbour!

Children are children. Why does it matter if they live on this estate or the next estate. It’s insane!

OP posts:
Ukholidaysaregreat · 20/06/2025 20:49

Tell the council. CF can't restrict access.

itsgettingweird · 20/06/2025 20:47

I live on a new build (well was built in 2007!) and we also have a park. We are one way in and out road.

I live opposite the park.

it’s never occurred to me that it’s private!

itsgettingweird · 20/06/2025 20:46

BarkItOff · 20/06/2025 20:05

It’s directly across from her front door so her ring camera will pick it up and I just know she’s the type to report criminal damage seeing as she believes she solely owns the park.

I’m no legal bod but surely it isn’t criminal damage to remove a lock from a public gate that someone’s put there?

YaWeeFurryBastard · 20/06/2025 20:43

Iamatwork · 20/06/2025 20:14

The park will be a stipulation of the planning permission in order to build the site. I'd get on to the developers or the council.

Yes it’s very common for there to be a playground on a new build development as part of the deal for getting the planning permission, in order to enhance the local area. I’ve lived on one such estate and the residents were absolutely foaming that “non-estate” children were using the park, ridiculous.

I’d just cut the bolt and deal with the consequences, police would say it’s a civil matter.

GabriellaMontez · 20/06/2025 20:39

Ask her to move it.

Then Give her notice in writing that you will remove it if she doesn't.

Then get bolt cutters off the pp.

Lemonrock · 20/06/2025 20:36

For it to remain a public right of way it needs to be used. Cut the chain, she has no rights to do this. We had the same issue with an entrance to a ginnel leading to a golf course. The adjoining neighbour put a padlock on the gate and other neighbours on the estate lifted the gate off its hinges, twice, it has remained open since then!

Iamatwork · 20/06/2025 20:14

The park will be a stipulation of the planning permission in order to build the site. I'd get on to the developers or the council.

Frozo · 20/06/2025 20:14

BarkItOff · 20/06/2025 20:06

There is another access point though so not sure that would work. It’s just less convenient for those of us on this side of the estate. And it’s a path rather than a road that’s being blocked so the fire service wouldn’t access that way anyway.

And if there were a fire there or an XL bully attacking people or a shooter…?

U53rn8m3ch8ng3 · 20/06/2025 20:10

Are the developers still on site? Failing that parish or town council might be able to help by contacting them.

hedgingmybets25 · 20/06/2025 20:09

report to local council that she has closed a public right of way. Get together with several neighbours and take it in turns cutting the chain off and returning it to her with a note stating her actions are unlawful

BarkItOff · 20/06/2025 20:06

mycatismyworld · 20/06/2025 20:04

Local fire service as its illegally restricting access . The fire service does a lot more than putting out fires and they have more power than many people realise.

There is another access point though so not sure that would work. It’s just less convenient for those of us on this side of the estate. And it’s a path rather than a road that’s being blocked so the fire service wouldn’t access that way anyway.

OP posts:
BarkItOff · 20/06/2025 20:05

It’s directly across from her front door so her ring camera will pick it up and I just know she’s the type to report criminal damage seeing as she believes she solely owns the park.

OP posts:
mycatismyworld · 20/06/2025 20:04

Local fire service as its illegally restricting access . The fire service does a lot more than putting out fires and they have more power than many people realise.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 20/06/2025 20:02

Health and safety issue to lock an exit surely? Another vote for bolt cutters!