Hastings residents in housing block fear they will lose pond

Residents in a block of flats fear they are going to lose their pond.
L-R: Pauline Whoriskey, Michael Walker, Jane Preston, Eileen Hoad and Dave Carter pictured with the pond in the grounds of Alexandra Park Mansions, Hastings. SUS-201117-114610001L-R: Pauline Whoriskey, Michael Walker, Jane Preston, Eileen Hoad and Dave Carter pictured with the pond in the grounds of Alexandra Park Mansions, Hastings. SUS-201117-114610001
L-R: Pauline Whoriskey, Michael Walker, Jane Preston, Eileen Hoad and Dave Carter pictured with the pond in the grounds of Alexandra Park Mansions, Hastings. SUS-201117-114610001

People in Alexandra Park Mansions, in St Helen’s Crescent, said the pond has become a social hub.

But they said Optivo, which manages the block, is planning to remove it as part of a series of options.

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Resident Pauline Whoriskey said: “We have a wonderful large pond full of fish, with a bridge we can walk over and benches all around for us to sit. It’s a social hub for chatter, laughter and watching the fish.

“Some of our elderly residents haven’t been outside the main gates since March but will come for a walk around our pond in all weathers. We all need to exercise, and it is so important for our mental wellbeing to be able to see and chat to people. Our pond is more than just a feature to us, it’s a focal point within our community and a new pond lining is essential.

“Optivo have informed us they want to make some changes to the pond area and have given us two options, which are remove the pond, rehome the fish and replace with shrub beds or replace the pond liner and complete weekly water safety and filter tests.

“Due to the current lockdown we are not able to meet as a group to discuss these options, so fear we will lose our pond unless we can think of another way to fund the replacement of the pond liner.”

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An Optivo spokesman said: “We’re consulting with residents at Alexandra Park Mansions about the future of the pond. We can confirm no decision has been made at this stage. We want the residents to have the final say on what happens to the pond and have presented them with two options.

“One of the options includes keeping the pond open.

“The cost of maintaining the pond is covered by resident service charges. To ensure the pond’s long-term future, we’ll need to replace the pond liner and complete more water safety tests and filter cleans.

“This will increase the resident service charge. The second option is to remove the pond, rehome the fish and turn the area into a shrub bed. This will save all households in Alexandra Park Mansions around £70 a year.

“We’re waiting to see which is the most popular option and will go with the majority vote when the consultation ends on November 27.”

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