Backlash over housing group’s plans to sell off residents’ parking

RESIDENTS of Southfields in Frome are furious with a decision by Aster Group to auction off their car parking area.  

The housing association is looking to sell the garages and forecourt area and have said they have struggled to let the garages in the past. Aster have since put the auction temporarily on hold while they investigate residents’ concerns. 

The notice by Aster Group, that was slid under residents’ car windscreen wipers reads, “Parking will not be permitted in this area after Wednesday 16th February due to the forecourt area and garages being sold.” 

Roy and Jude Phillips, long-term residents, believe that as no objections were raised by Aster in the past 50 years for the area to be used for parking, residents should be able to continue using it. 

In a letter to Aster Group, Roy Phillips says, “My wife and I have been resident at Southfields since May 1967. During this period, almost 55 years, we have had the right to use the area being auctioned, as an area for parking the vehicles of the residents.  

“This right has been sanctioned by Frome UDC, Mendip DC and later by the Aster Group since the houses were built in 1965/66, albeit without written permission from the owners.  All the residents have assumed this right over this period, with no objection from any of the owners. 

“A few years ago, Aster resurfaced the parking area, after representations from residents, and painted white lines to indicate parking areas; this is tantamount to accepting that the area was, indeed, used for residents’ parking, and that Aster had no objection to that use. 

“The area in question is essential to the properties in BA11 5AN for vehicular and pedestrian access to the rear of the properties, especially numbers 14-30 inclusive, simply because there is no other vehicular or pedestrian access to the rear of properties other than through the site being auctioned.   

“This access is essential for Emergency Services vehicles, refuse vehicles, and tradesmen.  Access is also essential to at least four households, currently, where the residents are disabled, and who need close access to their vehicles, because of their difficulty in walking any distance.  We also believe that there is a Right of Way for both pedestrians and vehicles over the area in question.” 

Residents were given less than a month to find alternative parking after the housing association decided to sell the forecourt area and garages of Southfields. Residents also say that the garages are not being used due to ‘poor maintenance’ and point towards a lack of investment by Aster into the garages.  

Aster Group say, “Over the last few years, we’ve struggled to let the garages in Southfields and as a result, we will be selling the land so we can reinvest the money we receive back into building much-needed new affordable homes and into providing essential services to our customers. 

“We’d encourage anyone who has any questions about this to speak to our team directly by calling 0333 400 8222.” 

An Aster Group spokesperson added, “We’re currently reviewing the proposed sale of the garages at Southfields and as part of this review, we’ll be taking into consideration the feedback we’ve received from residents. 

“Should we continue with the sale of the site, the money we receive will be invested into building much-needed new affordable homes and into providing essential services to our customers.”