Residents in a UK town have slammed a property management company for forcing them to pay over £2,000 towards the maintenance of a “disappointing” children’s play area. Homeowners on Creswell Road in Swanscombe, Kent, said they have collectively paid since 2022 £2,370 to property firm FirstPort to look after play equipment that doesn’t exist. The sum, split between 100 properties, reportedly covers a large log, some smaller log chunks, a bench and a few stones in a grassy area.
Locals said they were initially promised a much grander play area, which parents with young children became excited about before facing disappointment when the installation was unveiled. More than frustration over a lack of play facilities, residents have demanded transparency from FirstPort about where their money went, claiming that they had never seen workers at the site.
“My husband complains a lot about what we pay because they don’t do anything with it,” Adura Aknde, 46, who bought her new-build home five years ago and claims she keeps getting letters “demanding” more money, explained.
“It is really overgrown around the back,” she added. “We really don’t understand what the money is for. If they are just cutting the grass then we can pay someone to do that for ourselves for the ridiculous amount they charge.
“There is nothing there to play on. I have never been on that field, there is nothing to do there. When they first showed us the plans, there was a lovely play area for the children, but this is not it.”
Jess Clarke, 29, who has also lived in her home for five years, said that she would love to have a better play area nearby for her six-month-old son to use when he grows up.
“My son isn’t old enough to play in it yet, but it would have been nice to have a proper play area,” she said. “We were promised a playground, and it is just a log. We don’t ever go over there because there is nothing to go there for.
“I would rather they actually use the money to do something. Having somewhere just around the corner for the kids would have been lovely. All they do with our money is cut some grass.”
A sign near the supposed playground states that the log is only suitable for “children under 14 years” and that dog owners shouldn’t use the grassy area to walk there dogs, leaving room for very limited use. Ball games are also not permitted.
A spokesperson for FirstPort said: “The play area and surrounding fencing have been designed and implemented by the developer, and we maintain the area in line with our management agreement.
“This includes routine health and safety inspections, repairs and general upkeep to ensure it meets required standards. The property manager routinely visits the development and will be on site this week. We welcome the opportunity to speak directly with residents, explain how costs are allocated, and answer any questions about the breakdown of charges.”