THE owner of Redhouse mobile home park defen- ded his actions this week, following complaints he was digging up residential gardens without permission. It was alleged that Michael Wenman, who owns the park off Hogmoor Road in Whitehill, had begun to dig up gardens in Mornington Road. However, Mr Wenman said that he was making essential repairs to a sewer - at the request of East Hampshire District Council. He said: "I have to maintain and repair the sewer for the site, and I have the right of access to do so. I haven't dug up anyone's garden. There is a strip of land that is supposed to have been left so we can repair the area. "This sewer has been here for more than 50 years, but as people have extended their gardens and new houses have been built, access to the sewer has been reduced. "I have to make sure that these repairs get done, and I will make sure that the area is restored to just as it was." Earlier this year, residents claimed that Mr Wenman was trying to empty the site to develop traditional houses. But he denied the claims. He said: "In the seven years that I have owned this site, I have faced a number of different accusations and 90 per cent have been unfounded. We are working hard to redevelop and improve the site, and really bring it into the 21st century. "Two years ago, an independent surveyor came and looked at the site. His recommendation to me was to redevelop the area and put a whole new infrastructure into place. "That means new sewers, new water pipes and new electricity. In order to do that we have to move all the homes and do one patch at a time. Once we've finished the southern end, we will move on and do the work in phases." Mr Wenman claimed that, under the Mobile Homes Act 1983, all of the homes must remain mobile and should be able to move pitches. He argued that he is within his rights to move the mobile homes to redevelop the site. But there have been claims that he has forced some residents to leave the park completely. "I can't comment on what people feel - all I'm trying to do is put in new services," he said. "Some people are dragging their feet because they know their homes are not up to the move - and if that's the case, the tenant's contract collapses and I could ask them to leave. "In a few of these cases, we have bought back the home of the resident and then scrapped them. "Progress is still slow because some tenants are reluctant. It is their delay and their reluctance to co-operate that is slowing down the improvements." Mr Wenman denied he was clearing the land to build traditional homes. He said: "My intention has always been to do the site properly, and allegations that traditional houses will be built on the land are completely untrue. The main thing is, we need to move the homes to put in the new infrastructure. We will pay for the cost of moving and refund expenses incurred - it's not of cost to the resident. Unfortunately, if we can't find an agreement, then it will turn to litigation and a judge will decide."
