Council Pushes Ahead With Open Space Review

A review will be carried out into whether maintenance of public open space on new housing estates across Harborough should be taken away from management companies.

Harborough District Council’s Cabinet approved the move at a meeting last night, following concerns from residents about the effectiveness and value for money of some firms.

Currently residents on most new estates pay a management company for the upkeep of open space and one option to be considered is for developers to instead pay Parish or Town Councils to take-on the areas on new-build estates, or in the case of Market Harborough the district council would.

The review will also look at the arrangements on existing housing estates, although the council has admitted it maybe difficult to alter current arrangements.

Cllr Simon Galton, Cabinet member for planning, told the meeting some residents are frustrated at the current situation:

The outcome of the review is expected to be considered by the council later this year.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, spoke to HFM after the meeting: