Residents of Brooklands Road and Summer Close in Weybridge, Surrey, have been told by housing association PA Housing to clear their cherished gardens, which they have maintained for up to 30 years. The order, issued in a letter on June 17, requires the removal of all planters, furniture, and toys, citing overgrowth and rodent attraction.
Residents' attachment to the gardens
Wendy, 66, who has lived there for 14 years, said children from all over come 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 with the understanding that the land outside was theirs to tend. However, PA Housing stated the gardens are communal land and previous agreements were not 'legally binding'.
Impact on families
Single mother-of-three Priya, 25, said her tenancy agreement explicitly mentions 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,' she said.
Concerns over maintenance
Edward, 46, who has lived there for 12 years, said he has been pleading with PA Housing for over a decade to maintain public areas. He claims overgrown plants and new bins outside his bedroom window are attracting 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.
Memorial 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.'
Consultation and uncertainty
A consultation meeting on July 8 drew 20 residents, but Lorna Alexander, 71, said they don't know what will 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,' she said.
PA Housing's response
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.'
