Residents in Hillfield Park, Muswell Hill, have complained to Haringey Council following receipt of an official council letter that threatened them with a £5,000 fine unless they provided information regarding the ownership of their land.

Apparently around 1,500 such letters were sent out to Haringey residents demanding personal information on the ownership of their land within 14 days, or risk “summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5000”.

A cover letter, which was not originally sent to Hillfield Park residents, explained simply that ‘The Council is required under legislation to prepare a Public Rights of Way Definitive Map”, but no further detail was given as to which right of way was in question, angering residents.

Councillor Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat councillor for Muswell Hill, comments:

“This is just another example of the Council not thinking about its residents. Many who received this letter would have felt very threatened; not to mention the rude tone the Council has used. It would have been very easy to have explained the reasoning behind the demands, and Haringey Council should have done this.”