A millionaire golf club owner has told a group of residents they must pay him £350 each to access the backs of their own homes with their cars.
Ian Jones, who owns Rhos on Sea Golf Club, bought the track behind Mount Pleasant cottages in Penrhynside, Llandudno, last April.
He sent letters to all 14 households asking them for £350 each – a total of nearly £5,000 – so he could widen the track and trim trees and hedges, saying in return they could continue to use it.
But the Rolls-Royce-driving businessman said no one responded, and so now he has put a gate at the bottom of the track, which runs up to his house.
Ian Jones, who owns Rhos on Sea Golf Club, bought the track behind Mount Pleasant cottages in Penrhynside, Llandudno, last April
Mr Jones asked all 14 households for £350 each so he could widen the track and trim trees and hedges, saying in return they could continue to use it
He said he had installed the CCTV cameras after the padlocks on the gate had been vandalised with superglue four times
The residents say they can no longer park their cars at the backs of their houses.
When asked about residents’ claims that he wanted to maintain the track for his Rolls-Royce, Mr Jones added: ‘That just isn’t true, it’s only been up there twice in six to nine months, I store it elsewhere.’
One householder, who did not want to be named, said: ‘This is a very upsetting situation for all of us.
‘Historically, the track has always been used so that we can park our cars.
‘How are we ever going to sell our homes if need be if we can’t have proper access to the back of our homes?
‘We are also concerned about emergency services not being able to get to us.’
He added: ‘When we received the letters we didn’t want the road to change, it’s fine as it is.’
But he said no one responded, and so now he has put a gate at the bottom of the track, which runs up to his house
The residents say they can no longer park their cars at the backs of their houses
The businessman pointed out that some cottage owners have parking bays in the front of their homes. He declined to comment on why he put the gates in. Pictured: Gate blocking the track
Mr Jones said former owner Harold Griffiths had previous issues with the residents using the track, adding: ‘I can categorically say that it’s not true people have always had access with their cars to the back of their houses.’
He said he had installed the CCTV cameras after the padlocks on the gate had been vandalised with superglue four times.
He added: ‘The cottage owners have never wanted to pay for any maintenance.
A letter was sent asking for £350 but nobody got back to me.’
The businessman pointed out that some cottage owners have parking bays in the front of their homes. He declined to comment on why he put the gates in.
Mr Jones’ father Robin purchased the golf club from its previous owner in 2004.