Parents have welcomed an apology from their property factors, after they demanded children cease drawing on the pavement with chalk.

Speirs Gumley has ­apologised for sending residents in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, a letter demanding their children “refrain” from drawing with chalk on the pavement outside their homes, as it “detracts from the overall appearance of the development”.

Managing director Iain Friel said in a statement he was “disappointed” the letter was issued and “it was a poor judgment call on our part to do so”.

He added “common sense should have prevailed” and the request should have been dealt with “more sensitively”.

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Parents called the request “nonsense”, and a “disgrace” that children were being told they could not play outside, but have accepted the factors apology.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “We welcome the statement from Spiers Gumley and accept their apology.

“I’m glad they’ve realised it was a poor letter to send out to residents, particularly when the children are doing no harm – just having fun.

“I think the more concerning aspect for families in the estate is the road safety issue, due to the unacceptable ­driving behaviour by school-run parents dropping their children off at St Helen’s Primary.”

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Another resident added: “I’m glad my daughter can still be allowed to express herself outside her own home with chalk. I would rather her be out playing with friends instead of stuck inside on a tablet.”

Mr Friel said Speirs Gumley will be apologising directly to their clients over their handling of the issue.

In the letter sent to residents last week, it stated the issue became apparent following a routing inspection. The factors have not said if other residents complained about the chalk drawings.

Mr Friel said: “Admittedly, we do get these type of complaints from time to time in housing developments that we manage and, of course, we recognise that clients in the same development can hold differing views on how to resolve things.”

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He added Spiers Gumley is a “big supporter” of the local charity PEEK, “whose mission it is to improve the lives of children and young people”.