Gated developments

Labby123

Adrianc, Think you have just done hit the nail on the head.

Both estates are surrounded by nice quiet streets, so now you have said that I really don't understand why they are gated. As mentioned before I'm just seeing them as cul de sacs that happen to have gates.

If areas aren't that bad why are more and more gated developments popping up?

AdrianC

Labby123 wrote: »

If areas aren't that bad why are more and more gated developments popping up?

Because it sounds good on sales brochures?

Errata

AdrianC wrote: »

Because it sounds good on sales brochures?

.... and gives people delusions of grandeur.

I_have_spoken

a proportion of it had to be designated social housing

Pointless having the gates then!

F_Bear

whats next? armed guards and private security?

gated estates are for the capitalists to keep the working class seperated from the misery they have to live in.

thatcher said theres no such thing as society in the 80's and this is the modern version.

Katgrit

F_Bear wrote: »

gated estates are for the capitalists to keep the working class seperated from the misery they have to live in.

Well well well you learn something every day! I never realised that the working class had to live in misery. Here's me been foolishly enjoying living my humble and meagre lifestyle. Tisk tisk....what a let down to society I must be.

Has anyone got a chip I could borrow for my shoulder?

(note to self: be less happy)

ging84

gated developments are very often gated mainly to prevent unauthorised parking, they will often have no restrictions other than maybe signs to prevent anyone entering on foot. I suspect now that clamping has been banned this sort of thing will be much more common on developments in urban areas

Davesnave

Labby123 wrote: »

I did say to OH what would be the bin situation. Would you have to take them to the main road.

You will never have certainty, even if the council comes in at present to collect.

I know this because my council has just changed the rules for cost-cutting and insurance reasons, so will not, henceforth, enter onto private property to pick up. Blanket letter served last month to all households.

Doesn't affect me, but I'm quite pleased, as a local councillor will now have to shift his rubbish himself.

barbiedoll

I have visited many, many gated developments during my working hours and all of what has been posted here is true, especially the bit about being glorified car parks.

They have a buzzer entry gate system which is either open all the time anyway or will only work during nice weather. When it's pouring with rain and you have to drive up to the gate, get out of your car, fiddle about with an erratic entry system, get back in your car and then drive in, you will be cursing like Father Jack.

The very worst systems have the entry buzzer connected to your phone (mobile usually) so that if your phone is stuffed down the back of the sofa, you're in the bath, or your phone is on silent, you will miss any visitors. If you change your phone number, you will be charged a silly amount (£30-50) to enable it to work with the entry system. I visited someone recently whose entryphone was still connected to the previous tenant's phone, a person who now lives over 300 miles away!

And don't even think about your kids playing out in the grounds. There will be delivery vans in and out all day, I can't think of any place worse to let your kids play/walk your dogs. The grounds are often "landscaped" with a few bits of lawn, maybe some flowers/trees and sometimes some pointless sculptures, (the upkeep of which will be chargeable) although I have seen one which is near the river, with the hull of an old ship and its anchor planted in the middle of the car parking area!

The places that I visit are in London and tend to be populated with young, affluent working couples, most of whom rent their apartments/houses. This will obviously be different in other parts of the country. I personally wouldn't entertain the idea of a gated development, they're just too much hassle.

Browntoa

brother used to "rent" a gate entry fob off the security guy for a gated block of flash appartments right by tower bridge as he had an office round the corner

cheap parking but made a nonsense of the security aspect and it was often a nightmare to park in there when it was busy

though it did come in handy on milenium night as we were 5 minute walk away from the fireworks