We've been abandoned by estate owner, say Claverton Down residents
The row between residents of a private estate on the edge of Bath and its owner has deepened.
People living in Quarry Rock Gardens at Claverton Down have hit out at owner David Newman, who they say has left them to fend for themselves over issues from a power cut to icy weather.
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Quarry Rock Gardens residents, from left, Barry Dolling, Sue Mayer, Glenys and Bryan Chalker, David Brown and Terry Lowe
There were two power cuts on the same night at the site recently.
Representatives from Western Power Distribution were called to the site, which is home to a number of elderly people.
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Resident Bryan Chalker said: "We endured a total blackout from 7.50pm until 9.20pm, and there was not a peep out of Newman.
"I did manage to leave a message on his mobile but, bearing in mind this estate is home to so many old and vulnerable people, it is an absolute disgrace that there are no emergency numbers displayed anywhere. At approximately 11.05pm a loud explosion and enormous shower of sparks from overhead cables here plunged us all into darkness again. I managed to speak to a few other neighbours during this period and they are incensed.
"It becomes increasingly obvious that David Newman needs to install a full-time site manager here."
Mr Newman insists that the site is maintained, and that a manager is not needed.
He said: "You don't have a site manager on a residential estate, if residents want to contact me they can e-mail or phone me.
"The power outage had nothing to do with me. When it happened I did what I could by calling Western Distribution.
"They said there was a series of break-outs in the area, there was nothing I could do about it, these things happen.
"I went to talk to Mr Chalker on Monday but he just shut the door in my face.
"He is just a person that likes to complain about everything."
Residents who have also complained about lack of signs on the estate are annoyed about a proposed rent increase, saying there was no consultation and that they are just expected to pay up.
Mr Chalker, a local councillor, said: "There has never been any kind of consultation and people simply pay up because they are afraid that he will evict them.
"Those I have spoken to are pretty miffed that he can send out his annual rent increases promptly but cannot undertake the fairly simple requests we have put to him."
Mr Newman said: "The rise is in line with inflation.
"I can understand that people do not want to pay more but it is something that is happening nationally."
9 Comments
by DanBath007
Sunday, March 24 2013, 7:09PM
“If Mr Chalker was a man of action he would have spent £10 at homebase on a bag of salt and rang Western disrtibution rather than arranging photoshoots with the media whenever he has a quibble with his landlord.”
by joejohn
Friday, March 22 2013, 5:39PM
“Nice picture of smiling faces”
by Juneplayer
Friday, March 22 2013, 4:33PM
“Mr Newman certainly does not come over to me as having much care or concern for these residents. He appears to be very indifferent to their situation. which must make them feel even more upset and angry.”
by Respondent
Friday, March 22 2013, 1:24PM
“It depends I suppose how far you believe in moral conscience and social responsibility, or how far you want to appeal to 'don't-give-a-toss' capitalism.
There are certainly elderly residents on that estate who would be affected if there are no grit bins in wintry weather, and who would be worried by a lengthy power cut if there was no-one to communicate what was going on.
The residents need a representative able to bridge with the site owner and work with him to resolve concerns, as well as communicate information back to them.
WIth a burgeoning elderly population, we can't afford to adopt an appoach that says: "Tough, if you don't like it just move."”
by Dan_001
Friday, March 22 2013, 1:20PM
“@wheelie_bin Genius”
by wheelie_bin
Friday, March 22 2013, 1:03PM
“This is very good picture, the photographer has captured the look of abandonment well.”
by umbongo82
Friday, March 22 2013, 12:00PM
“Wow! A blackout for a whole 90 minutes! How is a power cut your landlord's fault? How is an 'explosion' (yeah right) on power cables your landlord's fault? So other than ring your lanlord, you did literally NOTHING else but start a whinge committee? Pathetic.
So none of his costs will rise with inflation, will they? He's perfectly entitled to increase his rents. If they don't like it- move. If they have so many issues- move. If he's such a bad landlord- move.
I live on a private residential estate and we don't have a 'site manager'. What estate like that does?? These people are living on a different planet.
I don't know anyone involved in this story but these people have really got my goat.”
by BV_BV
Friday, March 22 2013, 11:19AM
“Mr Chalker is just a person that likes to complain about everything."
My experience of him is that he like to get things sorted and will take practical steps to ensure they are sorted. From this story. it seems more like Mr Newman likes to complain and actions take a back seat.
"Annual rent increases rise is in line with inflation because it is something that is happening nationally." What kind of statement (paraphrased) is that? If your costs haven't gone up then neither should the rents.”
by DerekHole
Friday, March 22 2013, 9:42AM
“Would this be a story if Chalker wasn't involved?”