Locals in Longlevens are upset after a new fence suddenly appeared, blocking access to a community field.
The university wants to sell the land, claiming they are securing their property. Residents claim they got no warning, with one feeling like a “hamster.” A group is raising money, hoping to buy it for public green space.
Mark Palmer is disappointed by the new fence. His family used the field daily. The houses were built in the 1930s. Developers gave access to the field then, and residents have used it since that time. It is seen as a community field.
People meet there to walk dogs, and runners also use it frequently. The field is good for ecology. Bats, foxes, rabbits, and mice live there.
The fence appeared suddenly in December, and residents became very upset by this. The fence blocked gates, and Mr. Palmer leads the effort to buy the land. They seek a good relationship with the university. They want a way to buy the field, but the university seems unwilling to cooperate. This lacks community spirit.
Anna Powell feels trapped. The fence blocks her view and encroaches on her property. She questions why they built a new fence when her fence was already solid. She met with the university staff, who said they would lower the fence. Three weeks later, the fence remains unchanged.
There was no prior notice to residents. She saw fencing being delivered, and it felt like a bullying tactic meant to keep residents out. Anna misses using the field. Her family enjoyed many activities there, including playing baseball, flying kites, building snowmen, and picking berries. The field was used for recreation.
She walks her dog there for exercise, waves at people, and misses the community feeling. She knew people. People still use gaps in the fence. Richard Young is also unhappy. He often played on the field and never had any problems accessing it. The field was a reason to buy his house.
Everyone is unhappy about the situation. The field offered nice green space with wildflowers and blackberries. Jane Young wishes they were consulted, fearing new buildings would be an overload and property values might go down. She understands it is their land.
She notes organizations within the community tolerate traffic issues from the area. Still, the university could have informed them. The fencing blocks access to boundaries, and maintenance is also lacking. The university says they need to secure the property and want to clarify their rights to the land. They say there is no right of access there.
The university claims to want a good relationship. They arranged meetings for residents and want to hear concerns to answer questions.