Swindon Advertiser 20/11/07
Builders should be made to pay for an area's maintenance up front to stop new developments becoming neglected.
That is the view of politicians in Swindon, who say that newly-developed areas are left to look unsightly as no one takes responsibility for them.
Coun Tomlinson said it was a priority in the northern sector development and that it was time action was taken.
"Myself and local residents are sick and tired of developers failing to maintain areas," he said.
"At times, the developer attitude is nothing short of a disgrace."
He said that people living in the area were forced to live with overgrown greenery and other problems because developers did not stick to their side of the agreement.
"Therefore, I have urged the council to explore ways to secure an up-front cash bond, which can be drawn down to maintain any areas a developer has neglected," he said.
"This is the least local residents, who have paid high premiums for houses in new developments, deserve."
Swindon Borough Council's planning director Dave Potter said it was a move the council had been considering.
"We have to look at how we will secure the funding and would need to have an enforcement team to check the site," he said.
Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "For too long local residents have been left high and dry by developers who lose interest in an area the minute the last house is sold. This move would help make sure our local area is kept in the order we would expect having paid so much for our houses."