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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can I use the playground of a council estate if we don't live there?

803 replies

Mummy1608 · 09/02/2022 14:04

Quick question...

I live right outside a really big council estate. (Eg I walk through it everyday as a shortcut to my local train station, that's how close I am and how big it is.) It's got a lovely playground in it with lots of cool climbing bits etc. Can I go there with my DD or do you think it's frowned on if I don't live there, because it's meant to be for residents? I can't find anywhere whether this isn't allowed, but it might be technically allowed but still frowned on? My next nearest playground is much smaller (although always empty) and a 15 min walk away.

Tldr can I take my dd to the council estate playground?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
Yeahthat · 09/02/2022 15:31

@HadaVerde

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

WTAF is going through your head?
Gonnagetgoing · 09/02/2022 15:32

I'm wondering if @HadaVerde lives abroad....

However, I've been in France a lot (parents have holiday home there) and even in Paris near I think Victor Hugo's house in a little square there's a small playground where I went with friends from USA and their tween girls to let off steam after sightseeing all day! They loved the climbing frames etc. No signs at all saying only for residents and same where parents live (SW France).

Itsalmostanaccessory · 09/02/2022 15:32

@HadaVerde

So, I worked for a couple of councils for a few years. Town planning; that sort of thing.

When they put parks into housing estates, they count towards all available facilities in the area. They are intended for public use by an member of the public. They are not private playgrounds for residents. The council will plan an estate and put a playground in, so then when they plan rejuvenation for the area, they will not add another playground nearby, because one is already available and it is for everyone to use.

You are completely and utterly wrong.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/02/2022 15:32

Until last year I lived on an Army camp. It had a decentish playground. Paid for by welfare. Technically a public play park. Except it was inaccessible to anyone but the 20 or so kids who lived on the camp.

Original poster
Mummy1608 · 09/02/2022 15:33

I feel like my question has been answered and I'm grateful to everyone for the mumsnet wisdom 🙏 but just to answer the questions that have come up lol

  • yes I use the post office and shops and pretty sure that's allowed/expected - eg that post office was the one I was told to send my PCR tests from
  • some of the residents have big communal bins and some have their own wheelie bins because there's a mixture of terraced houses and blocks of flats
  • you can just drive into the estate but there's also big gates you can walk through to enter. So the estate has got a boundary iyswim.

It seems the balance of opinions has shifted more into the middle but I think I'll still go and hope to get away with it, if I make a mum friend after a while that'll be a bonus, and if anyone asks I'll just explain that I live just outside which is true!

OP posts:
SookieHouseboat · 09/02/2022 15:33

If you’re worried about who is or isn’t using your park, you really do need to get a hobby. What harm can it do? Live and let live.

Blossomtoes · 09/02/2022 15:34

Seeing as it’s your job surely you know that as leaseholders they have the same rights of access to communal facilities as tenants?

Owners of ex council houses are freeholders, they don’t have leases.

cherryonthecakes · 09/02/2022 15:34

Kids play on any estate playground here and invite other kids from whatever estate.

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 15:36

Owners of ex council houses are freeholders, they don’t have leases

No.

If they own a property in a block with shared communal facilities they are leaseholders.

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 15:38

totally nuts - I assume you can't live in the UK with this opinion??

I live in London.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/02/2022 15:39

@HadaVerde

AllThingsServeTheBeam

Funny thing is everyone else is providing their opinions.

My opinion is no one will question who’s using what, but that these playgrounds are not for general use. I have provided evidence.

Just cos you all agree doesn’t actually make me wrong.

You've not though 🤣

You are wrong! I've lived on a council estate most of my life. The parks/playgrounds are for everyone! Who the bloody hell would police it?!

Comefromaway · 09/02/2022 15:41

@HadaVerde

Owners of ex council houses are freeholders, they don’t have leases

No.

If they own a property in a block with shared communal facilities they are leaseholders.

Flat owners are leaseholders yes, but the majority of ex council house owners are freeholders.
SookieHouseboat · 09/02/2022 15:41

You are wrong! I've lived on a council estate most of my life. The parks/playgrounds are for everyone! Who the bloody hell would police it?!

I know someone who’s up for the job.

Runningupthecurtains · 09/02/2022 15:42

When I lived in a (former) council terraced house I was most definitely a freeholder.

BarbaraofSeville · 09/02/2022 15:42

@HadaVerde

Owners of ex council houses are freeholders, they don’t have leases

No.

If they own a property in a block with shared communal facilities they are leaseholders.

But the OP hasn't said anything about this being a block of flats.

Some council estates are houses, on streets, not blocks of flats. I know, because I own one of those houses and I am a freeholder.

Blossomtoes · 09/02/2022 15:43

If they own a property in a block with shared communal facilities they are leaseholders

That’s why I said houses, not flats.

andysgirl22 · 09/02/2022 15:44

@ThesearmsofmineGood point very well made @t

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/02/2022 15:44

@HadaVerde

Owners of ex council houses are freeholders, they don’t have leases

No.

If they own a property in a block with shared communal facilities they are leaseholders.

They didn't say flats......
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/02/2022 15:45

@SookieHouseboat

You are wrong! I've lived on a council estate most of my life. The parks/playgrounds are for everyone! Who the bloody hell would police it?!

I know someone who’s up for the job.

Haha well yes!
HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 15:45

Barbaraofseville

Op said flats and some houses.

Sandinmyknickers · 09/02/2022 15:46

Live on a council estate and it is absolutely fine, no one minds if other people use the playground

However I do take issue with some people on this thread saying it is ok because it is paid for by public money and 'funded through taxation'. Council estates have service charges aswell and residents pay an annual fee towards general maintenance and cleaning etc (the council doesn't just gift it to you for free!!) Also your council tax goes towards running essential services, not building developments.

So by all means use it, its not privately fenced off, but not because you feel your 'taxes are paying for it'

Herja · 09/02/2022 15:47

I think use the playground, so long as it's not one of the little ones that's obviously attached to a handful of houses and a big block of flats - that just seems rude. In a large estate with hundreds of houses, roads and shops, not using the playground would seem the odder choice.

There are a few of the former near me and people will shout abuse if (people they think are) non residents use them. Not a clue if it's actually private though, but the shouting is definitely real.

Seperately, I am genuinely so surprised to see so many explaining that park and playground are used interchangeably. Really didn't know this was a regional thing! I've only heard (of perhaps registered) it a couple of times before and honestly just thought it was lazy use of language, rather than a 'thing'. Love this place for discovering language variations.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/02/2022 15:47

@HadaVerde

Barbaraofseville

Op said flats and some houses.

@Blossomnotes didn't
Comefromaway · 09/02/2022 15:48

And by your reckoning the flat owners can use the playground but the house owners can't.

savethecactus · 09/02/2022 15:50

I think there are two different types of communal area. There are two council/ex council estates near me. One is four or five blocks of flats and each one has a green area outside with some swings and a hedge and a gate around it. I think the fact that you have to go through a gate means it's for residents only - it's like a garden of each block.

The other estate is just like the rest of the area - houses/flats on public streets, and there's a playground in the middle which is just a council playground that happens to be surrounded by roads that are/were made up of council housing. That one is open to everyone and is no different to any other playground in the area.

Imagine the fuss if a council owned playground in a wealthy area was 'only for residents on this estate' not for riff raff from down the road!