A great-grandmother has branded an order to remove her plant pots as “red tape gone mad”.
Mary Murphy placed six pots beneath a tree on a small patch of communal ground outside her home in Tannery Court, Milton in Sittingbourne, in July last year.
The 81-year-old, who has lived in the town for more than 30 years and in the block of flats for four, spent £50 on the pots, hydrangeas, Japanese pieris seeds and compost.
The former Swale Motors service receptionist manager specifically bought the pots so she could see them from her kitchen window and block the “awful and depressing” view of the bins directly opposite her flat.
Ms Murphy, who is a keen gardener but almost housebound due to mobility difficulties, says her flowers “brighten up” her days, as she cannot see her small garden – directly in front of the ground-floor flat – from the window.
She said: “I love my plants and don’t want them taken away.
“I was told by a manager that the area has to be kept clear as it is a fire evacuation route.
“But there’s a perfectly good path next to it. Who in their 70s or 80s is going to go over very uneven grass—or even shrubs?
“The residents here think it’s ridiculous; it’s not just me. Everyone compliments me on them—even the postman and the Amazon delivery driver.
“But I was told by the manager that it is not up for discussion.
“It’s red tape gone mad. You have the right to make your surroundings nice.
The grandmother of five believes her housing association was alerted to the planters after another resident “savaged” the shrubs earlier this month.
On June 12, Southern Housing told the pensioner to relocate the pots to her own garden or the designated area for resident gardening.
It said this was due to its rules on keeping communal areas clear and that she was in breach of her tenancy agreement.
Mrs Murphy, while acknowledging she has broken the agreement, argued during a meeting with estate managers on June 18 that the pots are not causing any harm in their current location.
Despite her protests, management put a notice through her door the next day, stating that if she did not remove the pots by Thursday, July 3, they would “dispose of or sell” them.
Mrs Murphy says the “ridiculous” order is “red tape gone mad.”
A Southern Housing spokesperson said: “We’ve a designated area for residents’ plants and gardening at Tannery Court which is available for everybody to enjoy.
“We work with residents to keep all remaining communal outdoor spaces free, as agreed within their tenancy agreement.
“If we allowed items in this area, it would prevent our grounds maintenance team carrying out contracted works, such as grass cutting and de-weeding.
“This work is covered by an annual service charge that our residents pay, so it’s important this work is upheld to a high standard.
“Our team have been in touch with Mrs Murphy who has refused the alternative locations we’ve presented to her.
“This includes moving her plants to the designated area or within her own raised garden area outside the front of her home.
“We encourage everyone to use communal areas considerately, so they remain enjoyable for all residents.”
