Residents furious as Government's weak proposals leave fleecehold scandal untouched
Councillor Paul Hodgkinson has stepped up his campaign for action on unfair “fleecehold” estate charges after hearing growing anger from residents in Cooper’s Edge and Bourton, now part of the North Cotswolds constituency.
Homeowners say they are being forced to pay hundreds of pounds a year to distant, unaccountable management companies — yet basic services such as lighting, green spaces and paths are often poorly maintained or ignored.
“Residents are angry and frustrated,” said Paul Hodgkinson. “They’re paying significant sums to companies they can’t challenge, with no effective way to hold them to account when services fall short.”
Government Bill ‘does not go far enough’
Paul criticised the Government’s proposed Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, warning it fails to tackle the root problems facing freeholders.
“Freeholders are being charged privately for maintaining ‘public open space’ — areas anyone can use — yet only a small number of residents are left footing the bill,” he said. “That’s simply unfair.”
Serious flaws remain
While the Bill proposes a form of Right to Manage for freeholders, Paul says it is deeply flawed. Residents would be required to set up and run a company to take control, an unrealistic burden for ordinary homeowners.
Even more concerning, the process cannot begin until developers transfer the land — something they are under no obligation to do.
“In places like Cooper’s Edge, residents are stuck waiting on developers who control the land,” Paul said. “Without a legal requirement to hand it over, this ‘right’ exists only on paper.”
Pushing for stronger action
Paul has asked Max Wilkinson MP to raise these concerns directly with ministers through Parliamentary questions, pressing the Government to strengthen the legislation. The questions and answers are here: https://members.parliament.uk/member/5055/writtenquestions
Call for real reform
Paul is urging ministers to:
- Force developers to transfer estate land within a fixed timeframe
- Introduce enforceable standards for management companies
- Remove barriers preventing residents from taking control
“With so many new estates across Gloucestershire, thousands of families are affected,” Paul said. “This Bill does not fix the problem — and I will keep fighting until freeholders get the fairness and protection they deserve.”