We are here to represent the community
- our primary objective is to look after the peaceful, lawful enjoyment of the estate by our residents
- we represent members interests to the local government, transport, planning and health authorities
Background
The CRA was formed in 1962 to act on matters of common interest to preserve the identity, character and attractiveness of the Cassiobury Estate. This has been achieved successfully for many years on a modest annual subscription with the voluntary efforts of committee members and road stewards.
The Association’s Executive Committee receives and considers, at its meetings, the regular reports it receives from the Cassiobury Neighbourhood Watch Area Coordinator.
In order to assist in the preservation of the covenants attached to properties on the estate, the rights of the Cassiobury Estates Ltd (the developers of the estate) were conveyed to the Association in 1966 so that consent to alterations to properties could be given by the Association. The rationale behind this stems from solicitors’ general interpretations of the covenants; and each year there are a number of inspections and approvals of alterations rushed through whilst solicitors for both parties hold conveyances pending the Associations’ agreement.
Covenants and ‘Trustees Approval’
If you own or live in a property on the Cassiobury Estate you are obliged, under the terms of ownership, per the deeds, to comply with the restrictive covenants – some simple rules relating to the use and development of your property. You agreed to this when you signed the Title Deeds to buy your property on the Cassiobury Estate, and the most important stipulations are set out in that document.
They are designed to preserve the character and amenity of the estate.
The most important stipulations are, in part, as follows:
- The property must be used as a private dwelling house by members of the same family.
- One dwelling house is allowed per single plot.
- You must not do anything on your plot that would cause a nuisance or which may lessen or
- depreciate the value of the remainder of the Cassiobury Estate.
- This prevents, for example, ‘working as a car mechanic for profit from your garage’, or using the dwelling ‘solely as offices’ or ‘outbuildings or garden rooms being used as accommodation or an annexe’.
These requirements are in addition to and separate from the need to obtain any planning consent.
If you are thinking of building a large summer house, extending your property, or knocking it down and rebuilding, then you must inform the Trustees. This needs to be done before seeking planning permission. It’s worth also letting your neighbours know in advance of your plans and getting their agreement, prior to commissioning full drawings and then obtaining Council approval for these.
It is vital that you seek this permission as failure to do so could cause problems with mortgages and solicitors when coming to sell your property. It may also invalidate your buildings insurance.
The Residents’ Association therefore works for the benefit of all the residents to ensure that the covenants are adhered to in any use or development that is carried out.
The Association make no charge for their services, but suggest and invite a minimum donation of £50 for Approvals to cover the administration costs.
Solicitors will want to see all Approvals when you wish to sell.
You may contact the Trustees by emailing Caroline Whelan on [email protected]
Your Trustees are: Peter Smith, Karen Bradford, Caroline Whelan