'˜Gutted' Shoreham residents told to clear communal gardens

Alfie, aged two, enjoying his slide in the communal gardens

Benches, children’s toys and plant pots were among items at Aston House, in Freehold Street, labelled with notices on Thursday (July, 13) that said if they were not removed within 24 hours, they would be disposed of.

David Flavin lives alone at the flats, which are a mixture of privately owned homes and flats owned by Adur Homes.

The 71-year-old was ‘gutted’ to be requested to remove his bench, which he has had for 12 years and which sits alongside the pots of tomatoes, runner beans, chives and mint that he enjoys growing.

David Flavin on his bench at Aston House with Alfie

“It’s quite a meeting place,” he said.

“We have used it an awful lot.

“Just last week we had a barbecue.”

Neighbour Amanda Hancock said: “It doesn’t look untidy.

“It’s not a lot we have here, it’s a few patches of grass.

“He is trying to make it look nicer for everybody.

“None of the neighbours have a problem with it.”

The 40-year-old mother has been asked to take away her two-year-old son Alfie’s plastic slide, which she said was ‘awful’ and ‘unfair’ – as she has nowhere to store it in the two-bedroom flat she shares with Alfie and her two teenage daughters.

“It seems really petty,” she said.

“This is a communal garden. We thought it was for us to use.”

A spokesman from Adur District Council said personal items could not be left permanently outside in communal gardens – a policy approved by the tenant-led Adur Consultative Forum.

“This is to ensure that individual residents do not take over areas of the garden that are for the benefit of all,” the spokesman said.

“It also makes sure the gardens are kept in a tidy condition while ensuring that items such as flower pots or toys do not create a trip hazard.

“We encourage residents to take responsibility for their communal gardens and have a specific grant available for environmental improvements.

We will be explaining the process they need to follow in order to apply for a grant for things like communal benches.”

Any alterations or improvements to communal gardens need to be agreed by the majority of residents in the particular block and should be for the use of all residents, the spokesman said,