Pensioner, 86, threatens to chain herself to tiny fence over ‘petty’ council row | UK | News
Julian Philips (80) and Pauline Taylor (86) with tiny fences (Image: Newsquest / SWNS)
The 86-year-old pensioner threatened to chain himself to a 1 meter high fence after a “junk” council ordered the fence removed. Angry residents attacked housing chiefs after they were ordered to remove tiny hedges around their communal gardens.
Distraught retirees even threatened to chain themselves to the structure protecting the 31-flat flower garden. Orbit housing group, which owns the building, gave them seven days to remove the metre-high fencing after claiming it was a “trip hazard”. Julian Philips, 80, built a fence around the edge of his garden to prevent it from falling over and turning into a “mud field” again.
Julian with the little hedge in Norwich (Image: SWNS/ News Research)
Mr Philips, of Helgate Court in Norwich, Norfolk, said: “I would be upset if it was removed because I don’t want people walking over the garden again. “The fence is there to protect it.
“Everyone living in the apartments here expressed that they were happy with the current state of the garden and how beautiful it was.
“Because I did what I thought was necessary and was successful, no one complained about the fence being in the way or creating a tripping hazard.”
Pauline Taylor, 86, who lives in the building, also criticized Orbit’s move while enjoying the new garden.
Ms Taylor said: “This news is really sad as Julian’s work is amazing and the transformation of the garden has made it feel like home again.
“Orbit doesn’t really care about our health because before Julian created this garden, it looked awful and was full of mud.
“I’m going to chain myself to it, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Mr Philips had meticulously dug up the existing “mud field” to lay turf and planted flowers to create a garden before erecting hedges.
But in a letter to Mr Phillips, the association added that “the quality of workmanship raises safety concerns and does not meet the required specifications and standards”.
Other residents argued that the conversion had turned the area into “a beautiful area that feels like home” and that they wanted the fence to remain.
Julian with the little hedge in Norwich (Image: SWNS/ News Research)
Residents were told the fence must be removed by July 10.
A spokesman for Orbit said: “We fully understand how much customers value their homes and the outdoor space around them and we were really pleased to support our customers at Helgate Court by providing turf for the garden area that our own team recently laid for them.
“This concern relates to a separate fence reaching into one of the parking areas and an extension to this area which was added without the consent of other customers.
“Helgate Court has 31 homes and just six parking spaces, so every space counts and many customers have told us they are concerned about fencing when parking, as well as the safety of neighbors using walking aids or mobility scooters.”
The company said the garden, including the grass and flowers, could remain but was continuing discussions with residents to “find a solution”.
As a result, removal of the fence has currently been postponed to see if tenants would accept the “safe alternative proposed for the area”.
