RESIDENTS are locked in a heated dispute with a housing firm after being told their prized gardens will be taken away.
Tenants in Weybridge, Surrey, claim their flats were leased decades ago on the premise that a patch of the gardens was their own.
Residents are locked in a heated battle with a housing firm after being told their prized gardens will be taken away Credit: SWNS
The housing firm is asking residents to remove all garden furniture from the gardens Credit: SWNS
Many of the residents have spent over 30 years carefully cultivating the land where they claim their children and grandchildren play.
But PA Housing is now claiming these gardens back and demanding that tenants remove their garden furniture and children’s toys from the land.
The firm claims the gardens have become overgrown and are attracting rodents.
Wendy, 66, who has lived there for over 14 years said: “It is the children who love it.
Lorna Alexander says it has not always been clear which patch of land belongs to them Credit: SWNS
PA Housing is now claiming these gardens back and demanding that tenants remove their children’s toys from the land Credit: SWNS
Residents say it has not been clear which patch of land belongs to them Credit: SWNS
Tenants claim the land is rightfully theirs and was part of the contract Credit: SWNS
“They come from all over to play here. My grandchildren play here.
“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 added that the garden – which the tenants have been tending for a long time – also has a tribute to a woman who died suddenly 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.”
Residents received a letter on June 17 stating the firm has proof the garden areas in question form “part of the communal land” and are not allocated for the sole use of individuals.
It added that the company would be assuming responsibility for the land from now on and that previous agreements with the tenants were not “legally binding”.
The community claim they now have nowhere for the children to play.
The firm claims the gardens have become overgrown and are attracting rodents Credit: SWNS
Many of the residents have spent decades carefully tending to the land Credit: SWNS
The residents say they have little faith the housing firm will manage the gardens properly Credit: SWNS
The gardens include a touching memorial to a woman who died four years ago Credit: SWNS
Single mum-of-three Priya, 25, said: “It is a joke. 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, said he had little faith in PA Housing properly maintaining the gardens, adding that the new bins beneath his window are responsible for the vermin.
The resident of 12 years said: “I have completely had enough. It is making my mental health worse. We are all absolutely disgusted with them.
“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.”
Lorna Alexander, 61, who has lived on the estate for over 30 years, said there was supposed to be a consultation with residents on July 1, but PA Housing allegedly did not show.
She said: “People are not always told what gardens they are tending, hence we get issues like this where PAHousingg 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.”
Sally-Anne Underhill, Director of Neighbourhoods at PA Housing said: “We are working to address residents’ concerns around the garden spaces at Brookland Road and Summer Close.
“We held a consultation meeting with residents on Wednesday 8 July, as it’s important that we understand their views and work collaboratively.
“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.
“We will work with residents and homeowners over the next few months to provide clarity in respect of garden spaces and communal areas.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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