Housing association turfing over OAP gardens

grassgirl

So there’s a local guy who’s had his allotment for 20 years and the housing people now want to level it and turf it, for ‘environmental reasons’. We are all heartbroken for the guy (and surrounding residents too), does he have a right to keep it after all this time? They’re going to do it in June sometimes so time is of the essence if anyone can help? I’m yet to see his tenancy agreement as I don’t know the guy but trying to get in touch.. possibly a human rights angle though? Will try any angle for him/them

Also they’ve launched a gardening comp, to rub salt into the wound - “Encouraging people to take part in such initiatives not only celebrates the great outdoors but also has a positive effect on health and well-being. We look forward to receiving applications.”


Link 1 story
Link 2 petition

�� https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/17670135.worcester-pensioners-heartbreak-after-discovering-fortis-living-will-lay-turf-over-his-garden-patch/

https://www.gopetition.com/signatures/save-john-hughes-garden.html?

DoaM

Probably best to ask this in The House Buying, Renting & Selling Board ... PM a board guide to get this moved over.

agrinnall

So not an allotment at all. It sounds to me like he has used a piece of communal ground for his own garden (possibly because nobody else has been using) but that now the owner of the land has decided it should revert to proper communal use. They are probably within their rights to do so, but it is rather mean spirited so I suspect adverse publicity is the way to go.

daveyjp

Looks like its not even his land to have a garden on. If he wants an allotment he can apply for one through the Council.

The danger is the land may not be suitable for growing crops. I've known similar situations where people are happily growing stuff on land they don't own, giving crops to all their friends and family not knowing the land is full of mercury, arsenic, cadmium and PCB chemicals from previous industrial processes.

Bermonia

In terms of rights... he has none, not his land I’m afraid. There is an argument for the bad publicity angle, however rarely works on something so trivial... also would suggest clarifying these ‘environmental mental reasons’ as could well be a health and safety issue as already suggested.

onwards&upwards

Sounds like he’s monopolised what is supposed to be a communal area, is that the case?

[Deleted User]

Why did you call this area his allotment (which is an area of ground assigned for the purpose that people pay a small rent for) when its not?

Albala

deannatrois wrote: »

Why did you call this area his allotment (which is an area of ground assigned for the purpose that people pay a small rent for) when its not?

Not everyone knows that 'allotment' is a term with a specific technical meaning.

Fire_Fox

Work within the system. This gentleman should contact his Ward Councillors and/ or Member of Parliament.

-taff

Can you come to a ompromise with them [if they would] that they provide raised beds for gardening? It would still be accessible, and they could benefit from good publicity.

Fire_Fox

The newspaper photographs suggest that the paths do need relaying, possibly widening. Fence panels too possibly.

"Steve Vizard, assistant asset management director from Fortis Living!said: "We are always delighted when customers take pride in their neighbourhoods, but we always have to be aware that communal areas are for all who live there and not just for a few."

“The work is part of a £200,000 programme of local works which will involve the removal of large areas of hardstanding, laying turf and improving accessibility."

"Our aim is to ensure that everyone living in Sheepscombe Drive will benefit from the improvement works and we hope they will continue to take pride in their new and much- improved communal areas."
https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/17670135.worcester-pensioners-heartbreak-after-discovering-fortis-living-will-lay-turf-over-his-garden-patch/

"Over the past 12 months, staff and volunteers from The Building Block at Warndon have been helping out at The Fortis Living Community Garden in Warndon, Worcester. The garden is a great Community Asset and many people help look after it. Now and again they need a bit of assistance and this is where Pete Miller and his team come to the rescue, where not only do they teach the skills required to improve the garden, but actually help out as well."
https://www.worcestercommunitytrust.org.uk/warndon-community-garden-fortis-living/

This appears to be on the same development, is it? According to the video some tenants have plots of their own.