Fuming neighbours blocked from own homes after shopkeeper installs barrier
A group of neighbours have been left fuming after a barrier was erected, blocking them from their own driveways.
For decades, they've used a private road to access their homes, according to one resident in Talke, Staffordshire, reports Birmingham Live.
However, the situation changed four years ago when Aspire Housing sold the road to a local shopkeeper, who has since installed a barrier preventing cars from entering.
Joe Wright, who moved into his Unity Way property in 1982, expressed his frustration to Stoke on Trent Live: "Aspire has suggested I contact a solicitor, which I did, but they charge £1,900 just to listen to me and I haven't got that sort of money.
"The police have said they can't do anything."
The land was bought by the proprietor of Unity Way Convenience, who stated he would be happy for residents to use the road if they contributed to the cost of tarmacking it.
He explained: "There are so many illegal activities going on in the car park - that's why I've put the barrier up.
"The second reason I had the gate was because I said to the neighbours they can use my road, it doesn't matter, if they help to share the cost of tarmacing the road, but they said they don't want to share the cost of tarmacing the road.
"A councillor spoke to me recently and told me that nobody should have driveways there and it's illegal.
"People can walk through there, it's just vehicles that can't because people were driving on there all the time.
"Nobody is allowed to access their caravans or use their cars there because it damages my road."
Newcastle Borough Council has acknowledged a complaint concerning the barrier's installation.
Councillor Andrew Fear, cabinet member for strategic planning, stated: "We have received a complaint regarding a possible breach of planning control and are investigating to see if this falls within the council's jurisdiction.
"We will update the complainant as soon as possible."
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Aspire Housing, the company that sold the land, is hopeful for an agreeable resolution.
Mark Warburton, head of assets and sustainability, said: "This site on Unity Way was sold in February 2021, which included the shops, the land at the rear of those shops, and the footpath through to Maple Avenue.
"Any formal access rights in place at the time of the sale will have been transferred as part of the sale or would have to be agreed with the owner following the sale.
"Our tenancy agreements do not include any specific provisions around parking or access to this site.
"We will support our customers where possible and advise that any concerns around access are also raised with the owner of this land, who we hope will listen to residents' concerns and act reasonably in considering requests for access."
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