RESIDENTS of a new build housing estate are calling for change after being charged £125 a year for the upkeep of a children's play area and woodland.

Householders on the Persimmon Homes Riverside Point development, on Farrell Street, are paying the money to Greenbelt, a third party company, for the maintenance of a fenced off brook and children's play area, on Howley Lane.

Since the Riverside Point estate was built in 2012, home owners said the initial payment of £63 per year, for general maintenance work carried out on the estate, has risen to £93 then to £125.

Residents said they are 'disgruntled' with this fee as the spaces are accessible to the public, and prior to the estate were the responsibility of the council.

One resident, who does not wish to be named, said: "Recently building companies have been in the headlines for extortionate leasehold fees and were ordered by government to change – surely maintenance companies also need investigating.

"The estate has approximately 400 to 500 plots each paying £125 approximately per annum, so they are receiving in excess of £55,000 a year to maintain two small areas."

Residents said they have made a number of attempts to liaise with Warrington Borough Council but this was unsuccessful.

The council has 'no remit' regarding the issue, and the council tax residents pay covers others services such as road adoption and bin collection on the estate.

A spokesman for Greenbelt said: "The open spaces and facilities at Farrell Lane are being maintained to the Written Statement of Services – however, we would urge anyone who would like to discuss the work programme and billing in more detail to contact us.

"It should be noted the initial, estimated bill takes into consideration abnormal levels of illegal littering and anti-social behaviour, as well as additional costs for play area maintenance and woodland inspections.

"Broken down, the bill is £125.33, including VAT – or the equivalent of £12.53 a month over the 10-month billing period. This is the sum that was highlighted in our point of sales literature for the developer in 2014.

"Moreover, we envisage next year's itemised billing, reconciled with actual costs, being lower for customers.

"We have engaged with customers through our dedicated customer care team and also visited customers on the development.

"Our customer liaison officer Nick Upton also recently held a residents' meeting at St Elphin's Community Centre, which was attended by 30 residents and councillor Jean Flaherty.

"The feedback given afterwards reflected the fact this was an informative and helpful meeting – we very much look forward to working with homeowner customers in the future."

Persimmon Homes have been contacted for a comment.