A DENTIST has taken on a developer over what she claims are planning breaches and broken promises made to residents at a block of flats in Kings Road, Haslemere. Jane Powell bought a flat for her mother-in-law Dorothy, who is in her 80s, at Canvas Court in August 2006, so she could be near her family in Longdene Road. But ever since there have been problems over inadequate rubbish facilities and drains at the flats. Cars parked next to the exit in Kings Road also block the view as residents try to emerge from the flats. Gleeson Homes agreed to a planning condition that refuse and recycling bins would be kept in the underground car park. But because of a low ceiling and a slope, refuse lorries could not get into the garage area. Residents, many of whom are elderly, could not pull the heavy bins up the slope to the edge of the pavement, so the council agreed bins could be kept at the front. But this has led to rubbish spilling out and fly-tipping. "We chose this development as the building was replacing a derelict garage site, would improve the local area and was not part of 'garden grabbing' where green sites are developed to the detriment of the local environment and infrastructure," said Mrs Powell. Mrs Powell has suggested a wooden screened storage area for the bins, however she says Gleeson has only agreed to provide a concrete area for the bins to stand on. "As the refuse bins are now next to the pavement we are aware that fly-tipping has been happening and local residents are understandably very unhappy about the number of refuse bags lying around all the time. It is an eyesore and making life for the residents, of both Canvas Court and Kings Road, very unpleasant." Waverley Borough Council has said an enclosure will need planning permission and Gleesons agreed to meet with officers from planning and environmental services this week, to try to sort the refuse problem out. Mrs Powell also claims building rubble and concrete is blocking drains to the flats and in the car park area, but Gleesons ignored the problem. She says the developers have also left a "no mans" area of rubble at the back of the plot where weeds flourish. "I have had no response from Gleesons about this, it just seems to me they have washed their hands of the problem. Maintenance firms have confirmed the drains have building rubble/concrete in them and until this is removed problems will continue," Mrs Powell added. A spokesman for Gleeson Homes commented: "We agreed to meet with representatives from the local authority on Wednesday. "Both confirmed that the hard standing we have laid, in certain areas, is fine but it has been recommended that this is extended slightly to accommodate one further refuse bin. "All parties are working closely to find practical solutions so the issues that have been raised can be resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned." Residents at the flats have been told by Waverley Borough Council planners, building regulation approval for Canvas Court was granted by independent inspectors from the National House Building Council. Meanwhile the council has also agreed to step up parking patrols in Kings Road. Surrey County Council has ordered a review of road markings in Kings Road and has promised new signs and road markings to tackle dangerous and illegal parking in the road.
