An 89-year-old grandmother in north-west London has been ordered by Westminster City Council (WCC) to remove a street garden and bench she has cultivated for over two decades. The council issued a formal notice last month, citing a series of complaints from residents about alleged anti-social behaviour.
Katharine Hoskyns, a retired teacher, created the garden on what used to be a parking space outside her home in St John's Wood. Over the years, she filled the area with pots of tomatoes, geraniums, and herbs, and added a bench for neighbours to use. Hoskyns stated that she initiated the garden to improve the appearance of the space after cars were parked outside her house.
"I love it because I can go and potter around with my pots and people come up and talk to me. It is nice and sociable," Hoskyns said. She added that the garden does not cause obstruction and there is ample room for a wheelchair.
According to Hoskyns, only one neighbor objects to the garden and disputes the council's claim of anti-social behaviour. She expressed her upset upon receiving the notice, emphasizing that no such behaviour has occurred.
The council claims it was reluctantly forced to begin formal proceedings after several years of attempting to resolve the dispute informally. The notice cited potential safety issues, including fallen pots causing injury and the bench not being structurally safe. WCC also mentioned that a camera installed to monitor the alleged behaviour did not uncover any problems.
Hoskyns has refused to dismantle the garden, and her family has helped her respond to the enforcement notice. They also launched a petition calling for the plants and bench to remain, which has gathered approximately 190 signatures. Hoskyns noted that the campaign has fostered a sense of community, with neighbours volunteering to help maintain the garden.
"It is a community thing as well as for me," she said. "[The council] will probably be in contact again but we will just keep replying when they do. It is not just me now, loads of people are involved and helping with the fight."
Hoskyns' son, Nicky Hoskyns, stated that the family has been overwhelmed by the public support, with everyone they have spoken to expressing approval of the garden. He expressed hope that they can win the dispute, emphasizing how much the garden is appreciated.
Westminster City Council stated, "Residents should be able to live without anti-social behaviour impacting on their lives. Moving this bench will help reduce the recent disturbance in the area. We remain hopeful that we can resolve the situation amicably."
The deadline for Hoskyns to remove the garden has passed without immediate council action, though she anticipates the dispute is ongoing. The street, Hamilton Gardens, is located near the famous Abbey Road Studios.