Standing in Poplar Farm, looking at the state of the play park behind me, one thing is clear—residents here are being shortchanged. The park, meant to be a safe space for children and families, is appalling. The equipment is falling apart, bins are overflowing, and maintenance seems to be a distant afterthought. Despite repeated complaints, things aren’t getting any better.

But here’s the real issue: this park, along with other infrastructure on the estate, isn’t owned by the council. It belongs to Buckminster Estates, the developer responsible for this community. That means we, as a council, have no direct control over maintenance. All we can do is continue to press the developer to take responsibility for the very basics—keeping the area clean, safe, and usable.

And yet, while they fail to manage a single play area, Buckminster Estates is planning to expand Poplar Farm with another 1,000 homes. How can they be trusted to build and maintain an estate three times its current size when they can’t even empty the bins in a small playground?

A Pattern of Neglect

This isn’t just about a play area—it’s part of a bigger problem. When large-scale developments are proposed, developers make big promises. GP surgeries, play areas, parks, shops, and other community facilities are all part of the sales pitch. But once the homes are built and sold, those commitments often fall by the wayside.

In Poplar Farm, the reality speaks for itself. Delays have left residents living in what feels more like a construction site than a neighbourhood. Overgrown green spaces, unemptied bins, poor drainage, and an overall lack of care make daily life frustrating. The infrastructure simply hasn’t kept up with the number of homes being built, leaving families in limbo—waiting for the community they were promised.

Broken Trust, Broken Communities

This is about more than just inconvenience; it’s about trust. When developers fail to meet their obligations, it erodes confidence in the entire system. If Buckminster can’t manage basic maintenance now, what guarantees do residents have that future community amenities will ever materialise?

We cannot allow developers to neglect their responsibilities while profiting from expansion. That’s why I, along with my colleague Cllr Paul Martin, are calling for Buckminster Estates to take immediate action:

✅ Sort out the basics—Empty the bins, maintain green spaces and repair play equipment.

✅ Deliver on promises—Ensure that promised community infrastructure is built.

✅ Be accountable—Engage with residents and listen to their concerns.

Enough is Enough

Poplar Farm residents deserve better. We will continue to push Buckminster to meet its obligations, and we will not allow them to ignore the needs of the community. If they want to build more houses, they must prove they can take care of the ones they’ve already built.

I urge all residents to make their voices heard—contact Buckminster Estates, demand action, and hold them accountable. A thriving community is built on trust, not broken promises.