ANGRY residents have slammed a Barrhead developer after waiting almost a decade for gates to be installed at their upmarket housing estate.

The town’s Montfort Park development was advertised as a ‘gated community’ when homes there were offered for sale several years ago.

However, Woodneuk Developments Ltd has refused to install electronic gates, much to the frustration of some residents.

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It is understood that, with years having passed by since the first phase of homes at the development were sold, the company has no legal obligation to put the gates in place – but fed-up residents insist there is a moral obligation to be met.

Documents handed to the Barrhead News show that, at a meeting attended by residents back in March 2010, Rosemarie McInally, of Woodneuk Developments, confirmed “her desire to complete the entrance to the estate.”

Drawings were also given to residents, illustrating what this entailed.

Despite this, Woodneuk Developments has since snubbed repeated requests to install the gates.

Marion McKenna, who is among the phase one residents who claim to have been misled, told the Barrhead News: “We feel embarrassed that we have been fooled like this.

“Rosemarie McInally told us there would be gates. People bought houses here on the back of that – they bought into the aspect of a gated community.

“This has been going on and on until last year, when my neighbour asked when the gates were being put in and was told they had no intention of doing it.

“Previously, phase one residents had been told there would be gates, to the point where Rosemarie even asked what colour we wanted.

“This whole situation isn’t fair.”

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Minutes from the meeting with residents back in 2010 show that Mrs McInally confirmed her intention to fit electronic gates towards the end of completion of phase two of the plush development, which sits just off Darnley Road.

The documents state: “The gates would be installed at Mrs McInally’s cost. Thereafter, the running costs and maintenance would become the responsibility of all residents in the estate.”

Mrs McInally declined to comment on the dispute when contacted by the Barrhead News.