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.
