A FURIOUS mum of two claims she has been “threatened with legal action” by killjoy housing chiefs – for building a kids' woodland den.
Jazmin Saunders, 23, was horrified when residents at a housing estate in Crowborough, East Sussex, received a letter threatening to prosecute them for building a den in the woodland behind the properties.
Her daughter Elsie had constructed the hideout behind her grandma’s house with the help of her mum’s partner and two other children, aged 10 and 14.
But three months after the kids finished building their den from previously cut back branches, residents received a letter from the housing association who own the properties accusing them of “criminal damage”.
Jazmin said: “To threaten legal action against children is just really weird.
“When I was younger and still living there, we used to build dens all the time. This is the first time something has been done about it.
“So many people have said how disgusted they are at that letter – they’re taking away kids’ freedom.
“Would they rather they sat around playing on iPads and iPhones?”
The letter, sent to the residents of Williams Way by Clarion Housing, says building any kind of structure in the woodland is a breach of tenancy and could result in legal action.
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It reads: “Following an estate inspection we have been made aware of a den that has been built in the woodland behind the playground at Williams Way.
“Building any type of structure in the woodlands is a breach of tenancy. Damaging the trees in the woodland is criminal damage.
“Should we become aware of the residents responsible for this further legal action will be taken.
“I have raised an inspection of the trees by our contractors, and they will be tasked with clearing the structure.”
Jazmin disputes Clarion’s claims that trees were damaged in the making of the den.
According to the stay-at-home mum, the children only used fallen wood and chopped down logs to erect the shelter.
She added: “We weren’t exactly going to go down there with a three-year-old to chop trees up.”
Jazmin said her daughter has been left “really upset” by the news that her den is being taken away.
While Clarion are yet to remove the structure, they have already taken down the tarpaulin roof.
They argue their decision was influenced by reports the den has been used for anti-social behaviour.
The letter continues: “There have been reports of drug taking in the woodland at night and we will now be asking the police to target the area.
“Please use the facilities respectfully as the communal areas are for all residents to use.”
Jazmin said neither she nor the residents in Williams Way are aware of any anti-social behaviour.
She added: “I don’t understand where Clarion have got the ‘threatening behaviour’ from – the people I’ve spoken to haven’t heard anything about it and they’re probably the closest neighbours.
“To be honest anywhere you go now there is antisocial behaviour, but nothing has been threatening at all.”
But Jazmin disagrees with the housing association’s claims.
They’re taking away kids’ freedom. Would they rather they sat around playing on iPads and iPhones?
She believes the wrong people are being punished by Clarion’s decision to remove the structure – insisting that it was built solely for the children to enjoy.
A Clarion spokesperson said: “We are unfortunately receiving increasing reports of antisocial and threatening behaviour near to Clarion homes on Williams Way.
“We understand that a ‘den’ in a nearby wooded area is the source of some of this behaviour.
“We are committed to making our communities safe places to live and will always work to tackle the root cause of any problems.
“We apologise if our letter of 7 January 2022 has caused alarm or has been misinterpreted.
“We want residents to know that we are working with third parties, including the police, to promptly assess the safety of the wooded area and any potentially dangerous branches.
“Unfortunately, the den will need to be removed.
“The health and safety of our residents is of utmost importance to us.
“We would urge them to make us aware of any issues they spot in their community or concerns they have regarding antisocial behaviour in Crowborough.”
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