Residents of new housing estates in Bridgend have spoken out about having to pay extra for maintenance services this month, as they are charged fees for what are dubbed 'fleeceholds' costing them hundreds of pounds every year.
The fees often apply to residents living on private estates across the UK, and are charged by estate management companies to cover costs of maintenance work that might otherwise be carried out by the local authority. Services can include grass cutting and hedge cutting, as well as road repairs and fixing street lights, however some people think it's unfair.
Councillor Steven Easterbrook raised the issue with members at a full council meeting in Bridgend this month, after he said he was approached by a number of residents who were feeling frustrated by having to pay for the work, which they claimed in many cases wasn't even being done. You can get more Bridgend news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
