Neighbour accused of “land grabbing” makes peace offer at Milton Keynes meeting

David Elliott, of Chalfont Close, in Bradville told the development control panel he had been unaware of the strength of feeling about him taking a slice of road and putting up a 2m high fence.

Mr Elliott’s quietly seething neighbours had been supported by Stantonbury Parish Council in their efforts to get what they see as land grabbing.

But Mr Elliott told the development control panel that no one had spoken directly to him, and he did not know it was such an issue.

“Land grabbing was never our intention,” said Mr Elliott at Thursday’s meeting. “I was not aware of the strength of feeling and upset.

“We want to get on with our neighbours. This seems to have got out of hand, nobody has spoken to us and this is all a bit of a shock.

“Our relationship with our neighbours is more important to us than this fence, to be honest.”

Mr Elliott told the committee that the amenity land was “horrible” and he had been trying to make it look nice at his own expense. But offering a consensus he added: “We do not want to fall out with our neighbours at all.”

Earlier in the meeting, Mr Elliott’s neighbours had objected to Mr Elliott being given retrospective planning permission to move the fence back but still to hold on to the amenity land. They say it blocks the sight of drivers using the narrow residential road.

“We must stop people taking amenity land,” said neighbour Robert Muir.

And neighbour Simon Pritchard appealed for a wider principle to be upheld.

He said: “Amenity land in MK is a gift to the community. If it is lost, MK as a town will be diminished and the lesser for it.”

And Cllr Linda Morgan, of Stantonbury Parish Council struck a similar note, saying: “There are numerous examples of land grabbing and this is another one.”

Appealing for the council to get tough, she said: “It’s happening all over MK and eroding amenity land throughout our city.”

Planning officer Lakeisha Peacock said the application in front of the committee to allow Mr Elliott to enclose the land was considered to be an “acceptable compromise”.

It had been recommended for approval and was considered not to create a precedent because there were only three properties accessed by the private road.

“It does not warrant a refusal,” she added.

But Cllr Rex Exon (Lib Dem, Bradwell) disagreed, and said he thought granting planning permission would “open a can of worms”.

“The idea of allowing residents to take land and endorsing it sets a dangerous precedent,” he said.

After councillors unanimously refused permission, Mr Elliott and his neighbours shook hands and left the council chamber exchanging pleasantries.

Peace is breaking out in Chalfont Close.