Pensioner, 76, heartbroken to discover beloved garden will be turfed over by housing association ‘It is only a little patch and it keeps me happy and mentally well’

A petition has been launched to save a pensioner’s beloved garden patch after he discovered his housing association planned to turf over the area.

So far more than 170 people have signed the campaign to protect 76-year-old John Hughes’s garden in Worcester, which he has been tending to for two decades, from Fortis Living’s redevelopment proposals.

According to Worcester News, the housing association’s plans are part of local works, which are due to commence next month.

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‘Made me depressed’

Mr Hughes’ garden patch is part of the communal area for residents of Sheepscombe Drive. Fortis Living said the works would involve removing large areas of hardstanding, laying turf and improving accessibility for all residents.

The association said it hoped residents would “take pride in their new and much-improved communal areas”.

But Mr Hughes, a former Worcester City Council groundsman, told Worcester News he was upset about the redevelopment. “Gardening is a big part of my life. My garden will soon be gone after 20 years of looking after it.

“I’m upset and all this has made me depressed. It is only a little patch and it keeps me happy and mentally well. But they want to take that away from me.

“Worrying about the garden is making me ill,” he said, adding that the situation was “heartbreaking”.

Other local residents’ garden patches will also be turfed over.

‘Such a shame’

A woman who did want to be named told the newspaper her garden held a lot of meaning for her.

“Why should all of our hard work and efforts be taken away like that?

“My garden means a lot to me and I don’t want to lose it. It is such a shame. It is the first thing I enjoy seeing when I wake up. It inspires me to do more,” she said.

‘Disgrace’

People who have signed the petition have expressed their shock at the housing association’s plans.

“This is a disgrace – you’re meant to be providing a home for people. It’s obvious this gentleman looks after his home, and takes pride in it,” said one person.

Another said: “To destroy this man’s garden and undo all of his hard work and take away his hobby would be nothing short of cruel. You should be targeting those that let their homes and gardens become an eyesore.”

Others thought Mr Hughes’ efforts to grow his own crops should be applauded. “Please do not rob this man of his independence and hobby. What possible reason could there be to turf over someone’s garden. We should all be growing our own vegetables, not grass,” said one person.

Fortis Living told i: “We are always delighted when customers take pride in their neighbourhoods but we always have to be aware that communal areas are for all who live there and not just for a few.

“The work is part of a £200,000 programme of local works which will involve the removal of large areas of hardstanding, laying turf and improving accessibility,” said Steve Vizard, assistant asset management director (west).

“Our aim is to ensure that everyone living in Sheepscombe Drive will benefit from the improvement works and we hope they will continue to take pride in their new and much-improved communal areas.”