The original plan to install new goalposts in a Oxford recreation ground look like they will have to be changed due to the fact that they are too close to people’s back gardens. The goalposts, along with new play equipment were installed by the council as part of neighbourhood renovation scheme.
The goalposts had only been in place hours before complaints were made by residents and landlords who claim they are far too close to the fence which separates the recreation ground and the gardens of adjacent properties. Residents now claim that balls are constantly landing in their gardens. Children are climbing fences to get the balls back and effecting property insurance for landlords by damaging flowers and garden equipment. Property owners with cheap landlord insurance have also had windows broken by footballs which are flying over the fence and breaking the glass and local people are already disgruntled with the situation.
The council say a number of solutions are already being discussed, including removing the posts and installing a proper football pitch in a nearby recreation ground. Another solution is to lower the height of the goalposts to discourage high kicks but this is not a popular idea as it takes away the realism of a game of football. Residents do not want the goalposts removed permanently as they understand that children love to play football. However, they feel that more thought should have been put into the planning considering nearly £50,000 was spent by the council during the revamp of the playground.
Marilyn Casey, who lives in one of the properties affected, said “We’ve been getting balls over the fence for years but since the new goalposts were installed it has got 100 times worse. I wouldn’t want to see the goals taken out because there’s not much else for older children to do, so I am not sure what the solution is.”