A BRADFORD MP has taken up a fight on behalf of her constituents over maintenance costs at a housing development.

Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West, claims residents at Sunningdale Park, in Allerton, agreed to a yearly charge of £69 per household to cover the costs of maintaining public areas, including a fence and grass verge, but the charge has now increased to £119.

Gateway Managements, however, say they took over the running of the communal areas in 2017 and the charge was £111.

This price increased to £115 a year later and will rise by £4 this year.

The Telegraph & Argus has seen a document showing the initial charge when the first residents moved in six years ago was £69.

The MP for Bradford West said: "The residents have been tied into a contract that was mis-sold and never explained properly.

“I am informed that Gateway Management's charges depend solely on the maintenance of a simple fence and grass verge, however, according to residents no maintenance has ever been carried out.

"This causes me great concern and brings into question the legitimacy of the charges."

Mikaila Teare, chief administrative officer, of Gateway Group Ltd, told the Telegraph & Argus: “Gateway were appointed by Sunningdale Park (Thornton) Management Company Limited to manage the communal areas of the development in 2017.

“At that time the on account yearly maintenance charge was £111.00.

“This increased to £115.00 in 2018 and this year the estimated charge is £119.00.

“We do not consider the increases which have taken place to be unreasonable."

Mark Midgley, a resident at the Allerton housing development, explained: "The last two years have been unsettling for us as residents, due to the fact that between Persimmon and Gateway management we have no idea of the costs they will be demanding each year despite assurances it would be a nominal fixed cost."

Labour ward councillors Richard Dunbar, Sue Duffy and Bev Mullaney, released a joint statement on the issue.

They said: "We have serious concerns in the way the Gateway Management Company have been treating residents not only in terms of very questionable service charges but also in terms of aggressive demands for collection of charges despite poor levels of service."

A Persimmon Homes spokesman said: “Information and estimated charges associated with the maintenance of public open spaces at Sunningdale Park was provided to customers during the purchase process and prior to reservation. In addition, details were provided to customers’ solicitors during the conveyance process.

“The management agent for this development is Gateway Property Management and it is now for the residents to decide collectively if they wish to retain their services."