Open spaces in private developments criticised for 'poor access and being badly maintained'

Some public open spaces in private developments are difficult to access, poorly maintained and have opening hours that are shorter than required, the Audit Commission found.

The findings came as a survey commissioned by the watchdog found that patronage at such public sites in residential or commercial complexes varied greatly.

Of the 36 sites surveyed, 22 of them had patronage of 10 or more visitors during a two-hour survey period, while eight of them had fewer than 10 visitors. The most visited ones - mainly located in commercial developments - attracted more than 100 people.

According to the commission, the low patronage at some of the sites might be linked to a poorly enforced policy requiring private developments under certain lease conditions to build and run the spaces for the "uninterrupted use" of the public.

The commission cited irregularities such as locked gates, closure of passenger lifts leading to podium levels and access obstruction as factors that might "adversely affect" the attraction of these facilities and public enjoyment of them.

It highlighted one case in which the site required members of the public to climb 200 steps to reach the podium level. The commission said such a situation should have been avoided at the planning stage.