BACKGROUND

 
Elm Close is a private estate in the centre of Amersham comprising 30 semi-detached houses for single family owner occupation with a communal wooded centre green, wide verges and a road.

The centre green, road and grass verges upto the laural hedges in front of the houses are owned and managed by Elm Close Estate (1980) Ltd.

Each house in Elm Close holds one share in Elm Close Estate (1980) Ltd, which transfers to the next owner when the property is sold. Elm Close Estate (1980) Ltd is made up of 30 shares, which give house owners the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting. It is at this meeting that the level of annual maintenance payable by each house owner is agreed.

The Company is managed by between four and six elected Directors, who serve for two years and they appoint a Secretary and Treasurer. To be eligible for election as a Director, the house owner must be resident in the Close.

Joint ownership of property carries one share and one vote in Company affairs.

Elm Close Estate was designated as a Conservation Area by Chiltern District Council in 1991.

The Directors have over the years established these rules to help them manage Elm Close. They are kept as limited as possible and are there to allow Elm Close to be available for the benefit and enjoyment of all the residents.

The cooperation of all residents is sought in following these rules. Nothing in these guidance notes contravenes the covenants contained in the deeds of each house

THE RULES

CENTRE GREEN, VERGES, ROADS

These may be used by house owners and residents for access and for reasonable purposes agreed with the Directors. It should be noted that the land owned by the Company starts at the hedge in front of each house.

This right of access does NOT include any right to park on Elm Close roads or verges. The roads in the Close are narrow and parking is a constant problem. Such parking has the following results:-

1. Obstruction to ambulances and fire engines
2. Large vehicles and dustcarts are forced to drive on the verges damaging both the verges and the edge of the road. This damage means that more money has to be spent on maintenance.
3. Residents’ parking, even for short periods, encourages outsiders to park in Elm Close.

In an attempt to deal with these problems, Elm Close has long been established as a No Parking Area. Any parking on the Close roads should be for visitors only and limited to short periods. You are asked never to park or drive on the verges.

BUILDING WORK

From time to time it is likely that building work is required for house repairs and extensions. Builders usually require the use of a skip and to store newly delivered building materials. The use of Company land for such purposes must be arranged with the directors prior to the building work starting.

The request will usually be accommodated as long as skips are delivered, filled, and removed as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary damage to the grass.

Unfortunately builders are never as careful with the grass verges as one would hope and it is the responsibility of the household employing them to ensure that the road edges and grass verges are returned to a good state of repair as soon as the building work is finished.

ONE WAY SYSTEM

Elm Close operates a one-way system. Drivers and cyclists should observe the signs at all times and go round the Close at no more than 5 mph for everyone’s safety.

SPEEDING

The central green is one of the attractions of Elm Close. The corners are dangerous. We have already had one serious accident that is why you see the signs and coloured posts. Keep your speed down, always assume that there are children playing around the corner. The 10 mph sign at the entranceway has been superseded by the new 5 mph signs.

CHILDREN

There are usually a number of young children among Elm Close residents. Naturally we want to keep them safe and let them enjoy the freedom of the Close. To do this, we do ask that parents ensure that their children:-

1. realise that traffic goes around the centre green and that they stop and look both ways when leaving the green,
2. take care when cycling on the roads, both of traffic and our older residents,
3. follow the one-way system,
4. do not climb trees nor push their way through the hedges, as this may damage them.

PROPERTY ALTERATIONS

As described in the introduction, Elm Close has been designated as a Conservation Area by Chiltern District Council and is therefore subject to additional planning constraints when permission is sought to alter or extend a property. The constraints also cover maintenance issues such as removal of trees.

It is not the wish of Elm Close Estate to interfere unnecessarily with plans to extend or alter any residents’ home, but the appearance and character of the Close and the value of other houses depend upon extensions and alterations being in keeping with the original style of the Close.

It is a requirement of the Deeds of each house that no changes may be made to the external appearance without the prior agreement of the Directors. It is therefore necessary that such proposals be submitted to the Directors in writing accompanied by the plans. These proposals can then be considered at a Directors’ meeting, which are held regularly.

Replacement windows, at least at the front and side, must maintain the style of the existing windows. Replacement doors at the front and side must be in keeping with the appearance of the Close and the original standard door design.

CARAVANS AND BOATS

Unless residents are able to use their normal drive access to park these and the like completely out of sight at the rear of their property, they may not be brought into Elm Close. It is not acceptable for them to be kept or parked anywhere in the front garden, on the drive or visible in any way from the front.

MULTI OCCUPATION

The houses in Elm Close are for single family occupation only and may not be divided for multiple occupation.

MAINTENANCE OF ELM CLOSE

To keep costs to a minimum, residents are asked to help by taking part in the Spring and Autumn ‘Close Clean-up’ and Leaf Sweep weekends. Notices are sent of the dates to residents and work needing to be done is written on a board in the green.

Residents are also asked to cut grass in the centre of the green by rota during the summer months and to be responsible for cutting the grass verges in front of their own houses. Posts can be removed to do this and replaced afterwards. There is a power mower available for these tasks.

HEDGES

No hedges or part of a hedge may be removed without the prior approval of the Directors.

BONFIRES AND RUBISH

Bonfires may not be lit on Elm Close land. Residents are particularly asked not to deposit rubbish or other litter anywhere in the Close; rather to make their own arrangements for its disposal.

DOGS

Should you have a dog, do not let it roam free to foul in the Close. Residents are asked not to use the verges or centre green as walking areas for their dogs. If a non-resident is seen exercising a dog in the Close, they should be asked to leave.

‘FOR SALE’ BOARDS, POSTERS, NOTICES

None of these may be put up in Elm Close.

Please Note:

Nothing in these guidance notes contravenes the covenants contained in the deeds of each house