Great-grandmother, 86, ordered by housing association to remove plant pots outside her home because it would 'stop them cutting the grass'

By NOOR QURASHI 14:43 30 Jun 2025, updated 15:35 30 Jun 2025

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A great-grandmother has been told the plant pots outside her home could be 'disposed of' if she fails to remove them.

Mary Murphy placed the six garden accessories beneath a tree on a small patch of communal ground outside the house in Sittingbourne, Kent, in July last year.

But now the housing association for Tannery Court is threatening to relocate or remove the pots amid fears they could 'stop them cutting the grass'.

Ms Murphy - 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.

However, earlier this month, the Tannery Court housing association told the 86-year-old to move the pots in order to keep communal areas clear.

Despite Ms Murphy's protests, Southern Housing have now said if she does not remove them by July 3, they will 'dispose of or sell' them.

The pensioner 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 local '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.

Ms 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.

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.

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.

Mss Murphy said the 'ridiculous' order is 'red tape gone mad'.

A Southern Housing spokesman 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 Ms 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.'

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