People living on an estate say they are 'scared and stressed' after the council sent men to 'take away' potted plants decorating the front of their flats. Council officers have imposed a ban on all potted plants or benches on the estate, which residents claim is a 'misinterpretation' of fire safety rules requiring the walkway to be clear in case of emergency.
Phineas Harper, 34, moved into the estate two years ago with his partner. The council estate located in was built in the 1960s and features a series of flats above garages, connected by an outdoor walkway and each with a small front garden space for benches, chairs and potted plants.
Mr Harper, who lives on the Greenwich estate, told MyLondon: “Over the last year, a council officer has been trying to impose this blanket ban on any garden gnomes, pot plants or benches anywhere on the estate.” He said that while the council initially only wanted the walkway clear, the ban has since spread to the front gardens of residents’ flats. He also claims tactics by the council to clear the gardens have recently become more extreme.
