Grimethorpe residents who say they are paying £16,000 a year for the upkeep of a dyke and green land near their homes are asking the council to take back ownership.

Dave Milner who owns one of the 200 properties on the Kingsway estate, said a meeting will be held on Monday at Barnsley Council with resident representatives, Barnsley Council leader Steve Houghton and local councillors.

Dave said households pay £80 a year for the maintenance of the dyke and the surrounding land as this is written in the deeds of the properties.

He said a green space for residents was part of the plans when the homes were built about two years ago.

But he said residents are forking out the maintenance costs when everyone else is using the area.

"It has footpaths along it and people from anywhere in the village walk their dogs through there and horses are put to graze down there," he said.

Dave said ownership of the land was passed over to property developers Keepmoat and residents are charged by a maintenance company for keeping the area tidy.

If residents do not pay the costs Dave says they cannot sell their homes as the debt needs to be paid beforehand.

Maintenance includes cutting the grass and keeping the dyke clear of rubbish, he added.

Talks about the dyke and surrounding area were held in November.