PETERSFIELD Town Council could be taking on grounds maintenance contracts as it looks set to agree terms to look after open spaces on a town estate.

The green areas on Barentin Way are looked after in the main by a contractor appointed by the estate developer, Taylor Wimpey.

But now Petersfield Town Council looks set to take over the public spaces in Barentin Way and its associated roads.

Council spokesman Steve Field said discussions between the council and developer were approaching a conclusion, and the council was hopeful of taking over the grounds maintenance work.

He added: “The council would take over all the green spaces on the estate and its grounds team will do the work and the developers will pay the council.

“The team has expanded and the council would be happy to seek other private sector contracts.

“As part of the expansion the council would like to take on an apprentice.”

The move to take over the green spaces comes after estate residents announced in 2015 they were unhappy with work provided by Taylor Wimpey grounds contractors.

They also told the council they were prepared to do the work themselves.

But they agreed it would be a “significant challenge” and pushed for the council to take it over.

The issue is just one of a number that have dogged the estate since it was built.

It still hasn’t been adopted by Hampshire County?Council, who would then maintain the roads, drains and street lights.

And work on a new path from the estate to Ramshill that should have been completed by Taylor Wimpey and was a condition of the developer being allowed to build, hasn’t been started.