Why weren't we told our gardens are up for sale? (From Echo)
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Why weren't we told our gardens are up for sale?
8:00am Monday 18th February 2013 in Local News Exclusive By Jacqueline McMillan
Angry - Mark Durant, Angela Hart, Mike Bering, Jean and Bill Graham are worried parts of their gardens are being sold.
SHOCKED families from four different homes have been left stunned after learning their front gardens are to be auctioned off.
Furious neighbours in Marine Parade, Zider Pass and Beck Road, were shocked when a brochure was dropped through one of their letterboxes showcasing their front lawns as being up for grabs in a London auction.
The families have been renting and tending the strips of land for up to 25 years from Essex County Council, and received no notification from the authority of the impending sale.
Mike Bering, 61, of Marine Parade, said: “Anyone could buy the land. Someone could’ve just turned up, pitched up a caravan in our front garden and I would be looking down at them from my balcony, powerless to stop them.
“They could cut down all my trees, rip up the path and what could I do about it? It’s just such bad practice from the council. The very least they could’ve done is spoken to us individually and given us the chance to buy what we feel is essentially our land.”
The residents have been fighting for years to try and purchase their gardens, but have been refused permission by the county council.
Despite being located on three separate roads, the gardens are being sold as a single lot, meaning if one of the families decided to foot the £2,000 bill, they would also own their neighbours land.
Bill Graham, 66, of Beck Road, said: “I am absolutely disgusted this can be allowed to go ahead. How would I feel if I did buy it, going up to Mike and saying I’ve just bought your land.
“One thing’s for certain I will be wanting reimbursement for all the years and all the money I’ve spent making my garden look beautiful.”
To make matters worse, for Mark Durant, 41, the front garden is the only way to access his property in Marine Parade.
Mr Durant said: “I would technically be trespassing across someone else’s land to get to my front door. What if the owner refused to let me access my own home? What would I do?”
The auction, which is being held by Lambert Smith Hampton, will take place at the Millennium Hotel, in Grosvenor Square, London on February 25.
An Essex County Council spokesman said: “While we appreciate the residents’ situation, the land concerned is Essex County Council land, and this would have been made clear when the houses were bought.
"Essex County Council, through our agents, visited all of the auction sites and where possible made contact with all those with an interest in the land. We have had no approaches, prior to the auction, from anyone interested in buying the land.
"However the auctioneers have discussed how to bid for this land with the homeowners, as this offers a quick and cheaper opportunity for them to buy this land.”
Comments(18)
GentleGiant
says...
8:47am Mon 18 Feb 13
GentleGiant
says...
9:02am Mon 18 Feb 13
Rather foolish getting publicity, as it will now push the price far higher.
maxell
says...
10:35am Mon 18 Feb 13
Nebs
says...
11:14am Mon 18 Feb 13
Unless it's been relaid since the google camera visited, whoever is responsible for the upkeep of Marine Parade is failing in their duty.
mys842
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11:45am Mon 18 Feb 13
5759
says...
12:20pm Mon 18 Feb 13
psorias
says...
1:26pm Mon 18 Feb 13
5759 wrote:I also cannot see Castle Point mentioned just Essex County Council - Not sure if I am reading it wrong as well. I had also thought the story was about Marine Parade Leigh.
mys842... Is Leigh in Castle Point? Maybe you should read before posting!!!
Perhaps you saw a different write up or perhaps you just felt like being rude to 5759 for no reason
psorias
says...
1:30pm Mon 18 Feb 13
2shedsjackson
says...
1:59pm Mon 18 Feb 13
.
I sugest you read up on the Laws of freehold. Anything you plant in or fix onto leased or rented ground automatically becomes the property of the owner. Sorry but you are not entitled to a penny.
5759
says...
3:20pm Mon 18 Feb 13
Or a Beck Road??
Apologies to all if I came across as rude.
Was not intentional. Peace out man.
stopmoaning1
says...
5:07pm Mon 18 Feb 13
mys842 wrote:Seriously??
I was confused for a minute - thinking this was Marine Parade in Leigh but couldn't work out why ECC were involved. Maybe Echo should have stated it was in Canvey?!
stopmoaning1
says...
5:10pm Mon 18 Feb 13
mys842 wrote:Seriously??
I was confused for a minute - thinking this was Marine Parade in Leigh but couldn't work out why ECC were involved. Maybe Echo should have stated it was in Canvey?!
mys842
says...
7:01pm Mon 18 Feb 13
5759 wrote:Wow, highly strung or what! It doesn't say it's Castle Point news anywhere and surprisingly I don't study the road names of Canvey Island or Leigh in my spare time. Clearly there are those that do though.
mys842... Is Leigh in Castle Point? Maybe you should read before posting!!!
pez1972
says...
7:32pm Mon 18 Feb 13
stopmoaning1
says...
8:58pm Mon 18 Feb 13
pez1972 wrote:But does it really matter
A quick google search will tell you where the roads are, didnt take me more than 5 seconds.
DogsMessInLeigh
says...
10:44pm Mon 18 Feb 13
Carnabackable
says...
5:24pm Tue 19 Feb 13
GrumpyofLeigh says...
8:31am Mon 18 Feb 13