Hellesdon estate furious after six year wait for play park

People living on the White Rose Park development in Hellesdon say that a fully equipped children’s area was part of their contract when they bought their houses in 2019.

But more than half a decade later the space earmarked for swings, climbing frames and see-saws remains just a patch of grass.

Homeowners on the site say the developer, Persimmon Homes, is now backtracking on its pledge and is instead planning to build a play park without equipment.

A play park was promised for this green space in the White Rose Park development in Hellesdon (Image: Newsquest)

But the firm says it is still on course to build a fully-equipped area. It claims that the construction has been held up for environmental reasons.

Sam Wilcox, who lives in nearby Ash Close, said: "When we bought the house back in 2019, it was agreed in the contract that there would be an equipped play area.

"It says very clearly in our documents that it would be 'equipped', and not just 'a play park', which Persimmon has changed to say in the newer contracts.

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"But because we've been here since the first phase, we can prove that we were promised a proper park with actual equipment."

Sam and three or four of his neighbours were so angered that they marched to the Persimmon office to demand answers.

"Three or four houses went into the office to find out what was actually going on but they said it was never going to be an equipped play park," Sam said.

Sam Wilcox is angered over the lack of action (Image: Newsquest)

"I told them we would go to court because of a breach of contract, as well as the loss of value to our houses.

"So many families with young children moved into the estate because what Persimmon was offering was really appealing, but none of it has been built."

According to many homeowners around Ash Close, the nearest parks suitable for children are Hellesdon Recreation Ground and Sloughbottom Park, but these are up to a mile away, highlighting the need for a local play space.

Contracts from 2018 and 2019 showed there would be an equipped play space (Image: Newsquest)

"We never took further action because my daughter was born around the same time and we couldn't afford to spend thousands on it," Sam added.

"But she's just turned one and I'd absolutely love to take her to what should be a really nice park for kids who need it."

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Persimmon has said that the fully-equipped play park will be built as part of the third phase of development. The second phase is currently under way and the third phase was applied for in March 2022.

Work on the play space has not yet begun (Image: Newsquest)

"The determination of this application has been much delayed, partly due to the need to provide nutrient mitigation for our development and partly due to discussions with planning officers regarding tree retentions across the site," a spokeswoman said.

"We hope to achieve consent for phase three later this year, allowing us to start work on the play area which is designed to serve the first three phases of the White Rose Park development."

Sam added: "At the end of the day, they just haven't kept up to their end of the deal."

People say the value of their homes has dropped because of the lack of local amenities such as the play park (Image: Newsquest)

Joe Featherstone, who has lived opposite the space for nearly five years, said: "The play park was one of the first things they promised us.

"I have two kids and another on the way so having a play park just feet away would be more than beneficial.

Phase two of the development is under way and phase three is still awaiting approval (Image: Newsquest)

"And not to mention how much of an eyesore it currently is, especially when you consider it's the first thing people see when they come into the estate.

"We pestered Persimmon about it for a long time but we eventually just gave up."

As well as the park's eventual construction, Persimmon promises further "significant recreational open space" in phases four to six which are expected to be submitted for approval this autumn.