A resident living in an exclusive York square today slammed the decision to lock children out of its communal garden.

David Pegg, of St Paul's Square, has called for a special meeting of residents after branding the move "socially irresponsible."

As reported in Tuesday's Evening Press, parents hit out at residents when they found their children could no longer play in the square, off Holgate Road.

Nigel Stubbs, chairman of the square's residents' association, which manages the square, said a vote had been taken to close the gates during the day because of vandalism.

But fellow resident David Pegg said: "I think it's wrong to have it locked up. I don't know how many other residents agreed but the situation could be handled by the appropriate by-laws.

"I don't think it's right, personally. It's a socially irresponsible decision because there are kids around who have been playing in that square since they were tiny.

"For me the most important thing is that the decision was taken at the annual general meeting of the association without it being an agenda item.

"My view is there should be a special meeting called to discuss this issue - everybody in the square should have notice so we can debate the whole thing."

He also claimed that the square was not privately owned.

He said it was managed by a committee of owners and occupiers in an agreement drawn up under the Town Gardens Protection Act, but there was nothing in the deeds of his house which mentioned an interest in or any ownership of any part of the gardens.

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