Anger after McCarthy & Stone construction workers put up fencing in people's gardens '˜without permission'

ANGRY residents say construction workers behind the development of new retirement flats in Southsea have put up fencing in their gardens without permission.
Work from McCarthy & Stone going into a Southsea residents gardenWork from McCarthy & Stone going into a Southsea residents garden
Work from McCarthy & Stone going into a Southsea residents garden

It is the latest controversy surrounding McCarthy & Stone’s scheme on the site of the former Savoy buildings – formerly owned by ex-Pompey boss Harry Redknapp.

Residents this week discovered workers had put blue fencing at the end of their gardens and blocked access.

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McCarthy & Stone says the fencing has been put up temporarily to ensure the area is safe while they build a new boundary wall – but has not revealed whether it asked permission from residents first. And neighbours say they are not happy with the way things have been done.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said he came home from work to find his garden in a mess.

He said: ‘They had taken down my washing line and moved my garden furniture and put the fence up.

‘I rang 999 but was told it’s a trespass matter and not a crime, and I had to call the council.

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‘I then phoned 101 and the police said it was within my right to remove the fence as it wasn’t mine. So I threw it back over. It’s diabolical – how can a company do this?

‘It’s my land and my property. I don’t rent it, I am the freeholder and I hadn’t given anyone permission to do this.

‘It’s bizarre. I’m shocked. I have never come across anything like this.’

The fiasco comes after neighbours earlier this year said workers ripped down the barrier around the site behind their homes after little consultation.

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McCarthy & Stone said it removed the wall after taking safety advice.

Martin Brown, McCarthy & Stone south east development director, said: ‘Planning conditions have been adhered to throughout the construction of our Southsea development. Fencing has been erected to ensure the safety and security of local residents whilst we carry out work to the boundary wall adjacent to their gardens.

‘We are committed to providing high-quality, attractive and safe communities and are working hard to ensure that minimum disruption is caused to residents and the local public whilst construction is under way.’