Cherry Hills residents' petition: Three Rivers Council agrees to take action

Residents of Cherry Hills have won a hearing byThree Rivers Council of their demand that the Council take steps to remove an eye-sore that has been blighting their road.

The furious residents of the South Oxhey cul-de-sac had  demanded to know why amenity land in their quiet close had been sold off and left in a terrible state.

The land, formerly owned by Green Belt Group Ltd, was disposed of in June 2010 to an individual who appears to have no connection with the area, fuelling residents’ fears about the use it could be put to.

Dozens of Cherry Hills residents, fed up with the eyesore signed a petition launched by local Labour councillor Paul Gordon calling for the grass to be cut.

Dr Gannon, a Cherry Hills resident, said “A Hertfordshire Highways official stated ‘I have come out four times to inspect the amenity land and trees’.  The same official promised he would cut the grass around the pylon – this was over a month ago.  He failed to keep his promise.  That seems to be the culture of Three Rivers and Herts Highways.  Too tired and can’t be bothered”. 

After pressure from Labour and local residents who accused Three Rivers District Council of “fobbing them off” in August, the council agreed to write to the owner after admitting the land was overgrown.

However, the letter was ignored.  Council officials have been left red-faced and the green grass continues to grow unchecked.

Cherry Hills residents who signed a petition organised by Labour Councillor Paul Gordon  to demand that Three Rivers Council take proper care of amenity land had their case heard by a Council Committee on 3rd November. 
 
At the Public Health and Services Policy and Scrutiny Committee meeting on  3rd November 2011 the Committee agreed to arrange a meeting between the land owner, residents’ representatives and officers of the Council to seek a satisfactory working relationship between the interests
of the  land owner and the local residents. The  Committee agreed to reconsider this problem if the land owner does not respond  to the Committee’s letter.

Furious Cherry Hills residents.

Councillor Paul Gordon

“I was heartened by the support some members of the Committee  showed towards this  issue.  Residents are pleased that the Council have  acknowledged the  uncomfortable predicament Cherry Hills residents have found
themselves in.  We  hope Three Rivers District Council will promptly send a letter to the land owner to ensure this issue is progressed expediently.”

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