An 89-year-old grandmother from London has had a bench removed from her street garden by the Westminster City Council (WCC) after a series of complaints alleging anti-social behavior. Katharine Hoskyns, a retired teacher, transformed a concrete area outside her home in St John's Wood into a green oasis more than 25 years ago, filling it with plants and a bench for neighbors to use.
Ms. Hoskyns received a formal notice in July to remove the bench, which the WCC stated had attracted anti-social behavior at night, including drug use. The council said it had received repeated complaints and had evidence of problems over many years. Despite efforts to find an amicable solution, including offering to relocate the bench, no agreement was reached, leading to its removal on Sunday, October 25.
Ms. Hoskyns, who has lived in the area since the 1960s, contested the claims, stating that only one neighbor objected to the garden and that there was no anti-social behavior. She created the garden after parking spaces replaced a patch of grass outside her home. She described the garden as a community effort and a pleasant place for socialization, where neighbors volunteer and chat with her.
She had been in negotiations with the council and had presented a petition signed by over 60 locals. Initially, the council indicated she could keep the plants if the bench was removed, but later suggested gradually reducing the number of pot plants. Before a scheduled meeting in November, the bench was taken away. Ms. Hoskyns stated she does not have room for the bench in her own garden and wants it returned, suggesting that alternative seating like chairs could be used if the bench remains an issue.
The WCC expressed regret that the situation had escalated and reiterated its responsibility to listen to residents and take appropriate action. They offered to return the bench to Ms. Hoskyns's back garden.