HOMEOWNERS have been told they must block up their garden gates by landowners of the former Pewsey hospital site, despite using the rear access to their homes for 30 years.

Several homes along Wilcot Road in Pewsey received warning letters telling them to stop using the gates, which were built at the same time as the rest of the houses.

Land owner Gleeson Strategic Land informed residents they must “remove any possessions” and “block up any gates” leading onto the land directly behind the homes in a letter sent on April 3.

Former Pewsey hospital nurse and homeowner John Maloret believes he should keep the right of access and said he would have problems if forced to stop using the back entrance.

Mr Meloret worked as a nurse and hospital manager between 1981 and 1989 and bought the home from the health authority in 1981. The hospital eventually closed in the early 1990’s and residents were able to continue using their back gates freely until last month.

Mr Meloret, 70, said: “I think the letter telling us block off our gate is indicative of the high handed attitude of Gleeson.

“The letter has come totally out of the blue. We have used those gates since they were put in by the hospital when we moved in. I don’t mind that they are building houses, Pewsey needs more housing, but it doesn’t make sense to me to force us to block up the gates.

“If I want to move the lawnmower to the front garden I would have to walk it past the neighbour’s window now. Other residents have dogs and use the gates all the time too.”

In a letter Andy Horwood, development technical manager, said: “Properties have been encroaching onto the land to the rear of the properties that is within the ownership of this company. This is private land and there is no right for the adjoining properties to use the land in this manner. If you have been accessing the land please stop doing so, remove any possessions and block up gates to the land.”

Gleeson have not responded to requests for further comment.