Nook Park: Council Leader Martin Tett under fire over mobile homes

The council is investigating the situation in Nook Park after the site’s owner Joe Burns ripped up hedges, lawns, paths and trees in recent months in a bid to expand the estate.

Buckinghamshire Council denied acting inappropriately over the park homes estate in Great Horwood, Milton Keynes.

It comes after Nook Park resident Dr Jacqueline Hughes made a formal complaint against council leader Cllr Tett.

The retiree from Guilford, who has lived at Nook Park for a year, claims the council has turned a blind eye to the relevant legislation and failed to uphold the law.

In her letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), she also alleges that the council has permitted land to be “wilfully damaged and encroached upon”, causing “considerable harm” to residents and neighbours.

She writes: “By virtue of having legally disabled yourself of relevant enforcement powers, you have allowed all manner of breaches of those laws – that is by failure to implement the law efficiently and effectively as is written in the issuing of the Licence and Schedule of Conditions for Nook Park.”

READ MORE: Investigation launched at Nook Park mobile home site as hedgerow axed

Cllr Tett, received the letter and sent a reply, Buckinghamshire Council has confirmed to the LDRS.

Councillor Mark Winn, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, responded to some of the claims.

He said: “The situation at Nook Park in Great Horwood is extremely complex involving a number of council departments who are investigating and acting within the laws available to the council.

A tree being cut down at Nook Park (Image: Liz Phillips)

“We have also sought external legal advice on the many issues raised by the residents.

“The council would strongly refute claims that we have not acted properly or appropriately.

“On the contrary, a huge amount of resource has been put into investigating this situation and exploring what actions we can take within our powers, following due process at all times.

“The council has properly considered every complaint and issue that has been raised with us thoroughly.

“We have also kept residents informed of progress and senior council officers are due to meet the residents association again this week.”

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Dr Hughes has previously raised the situation at Nook Park with William Tandoh of the Government’s Park Homes Policy Team and has also written to the MP Christopher Chope, the ‘Champion for Park Home Residents’, to ask for a public enquiry.

She told the LDRS: “As far as I’m concerned Buckinghamshire Council cannot resolve this problem from inside. We need to see what on earth has gone down here.”

Dr Hughes’ next-door neighbour’s home was demolished in February 2022, while another neighbour’s home has been fenced off.

She said: “It is surrounded by fencing. Half of her garden is churned up. We back onto a hedge row, which has been ripped out. They took out 16-year-old hedges.

“The other day with the heavy rain, the roads flooded. They’ve not got the tarmacking down. It’s pretty much a building site.”

Joe Burns provided an update on Nook Park when asked about the recent removal of gardens, hedges, lawns, paths and trees.

He told the LDRS “It is correct that these works have been carried out, but only on land belonging to Silk Mill Limited and all in the normal processes of the updating of the park with new drainage, electric and water, which are approximately 50 years old.

“Also, in installing new plots where old caravans were removed and the upgrading installation of the existing and part new road, to comply with fire safety regulations, a new fire hydrant has also been installed on-site to ensure site safety from fire.

“All groundwork is set for completion on December 1st 2023, subject to the new electric supply which we are chasing daily.

“I am very pleased to confirm this project is now coming to a close.”