Residents of two streets in Weybridge, Surrey, have been told to clear gardens they have carefully tended for up to 30 years. PA Housing has ordered the removal of all planters, furniture and toys from the plots on Brooklands Road and Summer Close, saying they have become overgrown and are attracting rodents.
Residents upset over loss of gardens
Wendy, 66, who has lived there for 14 years, said children come from all over to play in the gardens. 'I don't understand why they don't just take over the ones that aren't being maintained. We all play our part to look after it,' she said.
Some tenants claim their flats were leased decades ago on the premise that the land outside was their own and they were responsible for tending it. However, in a letter on June 17, PA Housing said they had 'confirmed that the garden areas in question form part of the communal land and are not allocated for the sole use of individual residents.' They added that previous agreements were not 'legally binding'.
Single mother and son affected
Priya, 25, a single mother of three, said: 'It says explicitly on my tenancy agreement that I have a garden. Now my kids are devastated because they don't have a garden to play in. There is no safe play area for my children around here. I don't mind maintaining my garden because I have the support of my neighbours to look after it. My son is being tested for ADHD and he needs his own space.'
Edward, 46, has lived in his home for 12 years. He said he doesn't think it is a good idea for PA Housing to take over the gardens because he has been pleading with them for over a decade to help maintain public areas. He said overgrown plants and new bins brought in outside his bedroom window are attracting the rats. 'If it goes back to the council then they won't maintain it. I have been asking them for 12 years for a fence. In this heat I can't even have the windows and doors open. The smell of the urine and poo of the rats and the bins just makes me ill,' he said.
Tribute garden at risk
Among the gardens is a tribute to a resident who died four years ago. Wendy said: 'Her children still like to come and visit it because she put the mirrors up. The rose bush is also for Rachel, it will be sad if that goes. She was such a character. She used to worship the sun so she was always sat out here.'
A consultation meeting was held on July 8 where 20 residents turned up. Lorna Alexander, 71, said they don't know what is going to happen next. 'People are not always told what gardens they are tending hence we get issues like this where PA housing turn up and say they are taking them all. It is really not acceptable because of the people who do work hard to maintain them. I am ashamed to have people over because these overgrown gardens are the first thing that they see. I am happy for PA Housing to take over those ones, but not the ones people are tending.'
PA Housing responds
Sally-Anne Underhill, Director of Neighbourhoods at PA Housing, said: 'We recognise the need to improve the condition of the gardens and we are aware of issues such as pests and overgrowth and are taking steps to address them. The question of whether these spaces are communal or allocated to individual residents is linked to historic tenancy agreements, some of which predate PA Housing and were transferred to us following a merger with Elmbridge Housing Trust in 2007. We will work with residents and homeowners over the next few months to provide clarity in respect of garden spaces and communal areas.'
