Pressure is growing for government action to assist homeowners in Scotland who are locked into land management agreements they cannot escape with companies failing to meet expected standards.
The vast majority of the complaints are against the Glasgow Greenbelt Group, the country's biggest operator, which Labour MP Jim Devine has described as "appalling".
Mr Devine has been spearheading a campaign which has resulted in police forces across Scotland being asked to investigate Greenbelt amid allegations it is taking fees for work not being carried out, or been done improperly.
One complaint received by The Herald this week expresses the fear that a child could drown on a Falkirk estate because a pond is only fenced on one side.
There are also complaints about an unsafe and unfinished playground and communal areas overrun with weeds on the same estate.
In the past, property developers have paid local authorities to take on communal land but by transferring it to a private company such as Greenbelt, which then charges annual maintenance up to £300 in some cases, the developer saves money. The problem for homeowners is that it is very difficult for them to remove Greenbelt or any other company if they own the land.
Alex Middleton, managing director of the Greenbelt Group, insists they will resolve the problems. "We will listen to the feedback from residents and other parties and we will deal with it," he said.
In the wake of The Herald revelations of the scale of the problem, MSP Mike Rumbles wrote to Fergus Ewing, the Minister for Community and Safety, calling for the transfers to be outlawed. Now, Sir Robert Smith, Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has written to the Office of Fair Trading, asking them to investigate.
Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banff and Buchan, has also intervened to assist constituents. "Greenbelt services two areas in my constituency and I have received complaints from residents in both of those areas which I have taken up with the company," said the MSP. I understand the company is now taking steps to rectify the situation but, really, the situation should never have arisen in the first place."
Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce and Aberdeenshire MSP Alison McInnes have been contacted by residents of nine estates.
None were happy with the service and several reported being threatened with court action and late payment charges for work not done.
Paula Hoogerbrugge, who set up an action group to campaign again Greenbelt, was delighted an increasing number of MPs, MSPs and councillors were becoming aware of the problems.
Tell us your experience with Greenbelt. Contact: newsdesk@theherald.co.uk
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