| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:I'm a resident too... | |
| Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
| Date/Time: | 24/10/14 11:59:00 |
| The problem with communal areas in developments is there can't really be a "halfway house", either any resident is entitled to leave anything within such areas, or no resident can leave anything. In Holland Gardens we have lots of 'vacant' communal space. Clearly much of that space has to remain clear to ensure compliance with the various regulations etc. but some space comprises dead end voids and could be used for a small amount of storage. Also as part of the design of the development all of the communal staircase cores have window shelves, where residents could in theory make the place more 'greener' by putting plants etc. on those shelves. But as I've seen on many occasions, as soon as we turn a blind eye to a minor transgression, the problems begin, like residents using the communal landings as an extension to their flats etc., so I can totally understand why we have a zero tolerance approach. As I've said before generally I find that developments which are 10 years or more older weren't particularly well planned in terms of storage arrangements, including bike storage and such like, whereas such things are an integral part of the planning process. As for living in a gated development, I wouldn't suggest for one minute it keeps the 'rabble' out - at Holland Gardens we've had our fair share of rabble living at the development. We have an entrance gate that gives the impression of a gated development, but neither the pedestrian gates nor the main vehicular entrance gate need a fob or such like, so anyone can walk/drive round the development (a public right of way bisects the development) and personally I prefer it that way, although that is probably because otherwise (due to the location of my flat) I would experience all of the problems with drivers having to do U-turns within a confined space etc.). |