A grandma has been left devastated after the balcony garden she cultivated for almost 50 years had to be cleared. Gill Ashton was ordered to remove the "hundreds" of plants, hanging baskets and flowers in a letter sent to her on behalf of developers.
The document stated that the 74-year-old had to "clear" the walkway and balcony behind her home. She had nurtured the space - which has been likened to the Chelsea Flower Show - into a flourishing garden over 48 years.
Gill and all her neighbours received the letter on behalf of developers transforming St John's Way in Solihull, West Midlands, into a new residential and retail complex called Knowle Place. The major development was given the green light by Solihull Council in 2022.
"My balcony was full of flowers, they said I had to remove everything off the balcony. I'd spent a fortune on it, I'd had them there for 40 odd years" grandma-of-five Gill told BirminghamLive.
Gill, who has lived in St John's Way for 48 years, explained: "[It was] hundreds of plants, there were things that had been there for years. Acers, Hostas, lots of bedding plants, a lot of the pots were ceramic, it was part of my life. It was like a tropical garden. They said we had no ownership of the balcony."
A removal letter seen by BirminghamLive shows developers Mercia Real Estate stating residents had a "limited right" to use their walkways.
Gill said she also received a visit from a company acting on behalf of developers, telling her to clear her walkway. Residents told the publication they received the letter in 2020, which they complied with.
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But residents said nothing had happened since that removal. They said they were confused as to why they were instructed to clear the area when they had kept items on their walkways and balconies for years.
Mercia Real Estate told BirminghamLive that Knowle Place will provide "new employment opportunities, shopping, entertainment and new modern places to live". It said it had provided "direct lines of communication" to those with concerns.
But passionate gardener Gill said she was forced to donate or get rid of her beloved plants, including acers , hanging baskets and bedding plants. Her son Phil Collins said: "She doesn't drive, she has COPD, they said she had to shift them. People used to compliment her on her pots and hanging baskets, it was like Chelsea Flower show."
BirminghamLive put the concerns of local residents and business owners to Mercia Real Estate developers. They declined to comment on the removal of items from walkways, saying it was a private matter. A spokesperson said the developer had provided "direct lines of communication" and that parties are welcome to discuss their concerns with Mercia Real Estate.
A spokesperson for Solihull Council said: “Any planning authority is required to notify residents or tenants of any applications affecting their properties. With regards to this application, the Council has also kept residents and tenants informed of all amendments to the application, and considered the objections raised to the scheme.
“The Council advised in the committee report and at the Planning Committee meeting that anything relating to ownership is a private matter between the developer, tenants and homeowners. The Council and the planning system cannot and does not get involved in ownership issues."
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