Council orders man to destroy wildlife garden

A MELKSHAM man is facing a court appeal to save his wildlife back garden after Wiltshire Council demanded that it be completely cleared and prevented from growing back.

Meteorologist and railway campaigner John Money faces charges of over £1,000 if he does not clear his overgrown garden and carpet the ground to stop plants growing back.

John, who owns his house on Churchill Avenue, and has lived there for 37 years, intends to appeal the charge.

John said, “I’m not very happy that the council is telling me to cut down everything in my own garden and leave it as bare land. I cleared the front garden when they asked me because I don’t want to upset people, but I should be able to do what I like in my private back garden.

“It’s not as if the garden is full of old car parts, scrap and rubbish; everything is natural. There are blackberries, grapes, strawberries and trees growing and a lot of wildlife lives there. I get hedgehogs, birds nesting, bees and butterflies – if everything was cut down it would ruin their habitat and food supply.”

John also argues that the readings of thermometers and other meteorological instruments would be affected and inaccurate if there was no vegetation in the garden.

The notice served to John is from Section 215 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. The notice reads “it appears to [Wiltshire Council] that the amenity of a part of their area is adversely affected by the condition of the Land described”.

It demands that John, whose back garden is not visible from the street, “cut back and remove all overgrown shrubs, bushes and other vegetation down to ground level.

“Place carpet or dark coloured sheeting down on the ground of the entire back garden to inhibit the regrowth of vegetation.”

If John does not follow the council’s instruction he could be fined £1,000 then £100 for each day that he doesn’t either clear the garden or appeal the charge.

Wiltshire Council offered to oversee the work at a cost to John of £2,600. The authority also explains that it has the power to enter the land without John’s permission then clear the garden and recover the costs from him.

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said, “The house is semi-detached with other properties close by and Mr Money’s garden is so unkempt the vegetation is spreading to neighbours’ gardens on both sides, affecting their ability to enjoy their own space.

“In response we firstly asked Mr Money to clear up his garden and we offered him advice on how best to do this, as well as plenty of time and opportunity to have the work done.

“Regrettably he failed to do so and we have now had to take more formal action. However, no work will take place until after birds have finished nesting. Once the garden has been tidied, we would expect no adverse impact on wildlife or to his meteorological research.”