Grass verge on pavement outside Apex Close, The Avenue
Sent to Bromley Council less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 7551868.
Someone is growing many plants, adding plastic toys and various detritus including furniture. Now a fibreglass pond is on the verge, whether dumped or about to be added to the untidy verge I do not know. This area is gradually expanding along the pavement. The whole are looks untidy and if everyone came out and did this to the verge near them it would be extremely unsightly - not what a civic grass verge should be.
Updates
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Thank you for your report, this is now being investigated. Information on our services and the timeframes we aim to respond in can be found: http://www.bromley.gov.uk/ fixservices
Posted by Bromley Council
at 14:18, Sunday 11 May 2025
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3rd party commenter 1 - I have seen this and request reinstatement of the grass and care as a communal amenity consistent with the streetscape, not a personal land grab for whimsical planting and paraphernalia.
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I live in the area and fully support keeping the communal garden. It’s far more attractive and vibrant than the dry, patchy grass verges the council maintains. I regularly see people stop to admire the flowers, something that doesn’t happen with the rest of the scrubby grass nearby.
This garden adds life and colour to the street, supports pollinators, and shows care from local residents. It’s clearly valued by the community.
Removing it based on one complaint would be shortsighted and undemocratic. Often, complaints like this aren’t even about genuine dislike, they’re about someone trying to speak on behalf of others who haven’t actually said anything. If there’s any talk of removal, it should go to a proper local consultation. I’m confident most people here would want it to stay, and grow.
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This garden adds character, charm and life to the street. Moreover, it increases biodiversity in the area and helps insect pollinators. Since 1970, the average abundance of wildlife in the UK has declined by 13%, and 16% of all species are threatened with extinction. Initiatives like this should be celebrated and embraced, but NIMBYs like the one posting this are too close-minded to care.
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I’m writing to express my full support and appreciation for the beautiful garden that has been created and maintained in the communal area by the street on The Avenue. It’s a vibrant, uplifting space that brings joy to so many in our neighbourhood, myself included. It’s honestly one of my favourite spots in the area.
The neighbour who started this garden has been dedicating time and care daily to keep it looking beautiful and welcoming. His work is not only visually stunning but also a real act of generosity and community spirit.
It’s deeply disappointing to hear that someone has reported this garden, especially when it’s clear how much it means to local residents. Rather than causing harm, it enhances our shared space, brings people together, and sets a wonderful example of how we can all take pride in our surroundings.
If there were ever a vote on whether this kind of initiative should be embraced, I would absolutely support seeing the whole of The Avenue transformed in the same spirit.
To those who can’t appreciate such acts of kindness and beauty, perhaps they’re simply out of step with the community they live in??
Please don’t let one complaint outweigh the support and love this garden has from many of us. Let’s protect and encourage these small but powerful acts of care in our public spaces.
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Do not take the garden away from community. You will not be able to take it away from the majority that appreciate it. Expect backlash if you try to turn the beauty into grass, as per one ignorant posters wishes.
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I totally support the patch of flowers and herbs that's being grown in this spot, it's so much better than the grubby, often bare grass verges the council maintains generally. The person looking after it clearly cares about nature, biodiversity and beauty in a communal space. Leave it be!
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We are continuing to investigate and working to resolve this report
Posted by Bromley Council
at 15:54, Monday 19 May 2025
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Please see attached photo.
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@bromley council
I am reaponsible for the garden - please feel free to contact me @ heftysgarden@gmail.com
Thanks
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This is a beautiful garden, it makes us, local residents, happy. It will be sad and unfair if it’s taken away over one complaint that I personally disagree with. Thank you.
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I love this, great for biodiversity the bees and so many people expressed their love for this garden in Beckenham based Facebook groups. One sour individual shouldn’t spoil it for the rest of us! Please support this effort! It’s been there a while and even your Veolia Green teams appreciate it! 🌱 thank you!
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I passed this verge the other day and thought how beautiful it was and wonderful that someone took time to maintain it, the flowers lift the spirit! Leave it alone please.
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This community garden brings joy to so many people. Equally when it was callously driven over last year by a lorry, many of the community funded it to get it replanted. It's not only a lovely spot for locals but helps with biodiversity in the area and should be encouraged by Greener and cleaner Bromley council, who could in fact encourage others to adopt their local verges and plant bee friendly flowers for example. Even if there are perhaps some guidelines on not putting sculptures or ponds etc in
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This is a wonderful use of an otherwise unused space. It fills me, and my young son, with joy each day we pass by and talk about the plants, toys, bee counter and other thoughtful features. I am shocked that anyone would complain about what has been created here. We are lucky to have it on our road and it would be a real shame if it were to be taken away.
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The planted verge is a pleasure to look at and attracts so many pollinators. I often see people and especially children stop to admire it while walking. It would be a shame to lose it if it was removed
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I fully support this beautiful garden as do many others. Please leave the garden alone
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This grass verge is admired by many people when walking up the avenue .I can not believe someone can complain about a lovely colourful stretch of land that otherwise would just be grass .
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This garden brings joy to people who pass it and supports wildlife and biodiversity. So, far from a “land grab” those responsible donate their time and love through it to the local community. Please don’t destroy that beautiful wildlife habitats.
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Me and my daughter walk past this beautiful communal garden every day and it is a highlight of our morning. The area is great for biodiversity and great for the community. I really commend whoever had the iniative and sense of community to commit hours of their own time and money for the better of our community, and wish there were more people undertaking more projects of this nature in the area. I would sincerely hope that the council does not choose to act on the whim of one miserly and disgruntled resident.
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Me and my daughter walk past this beautiful communal garden every day and it is a highlight of our morning. The area is great for biodiversity and great for the community. I really commend whoever had the iniative and sense of community to commit hours of their own time and money for the better of our community, and wish there were more people undertaking more projects of this nature in the area. I would sincerely hope that the council does not choose to act on the whim of one miserly and disgruntled resident.
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I stopped to sit down on one of the chairs last week, enjoying the flowers and the little free library. I’m in my seventies and appreciate the chance to sit down on a hot day, I was grateful someone went to so much trouble for their community. They haven’t destroyed a manicured municipal flower garden - they’ve planted flowers on a patch of scrub - what’s not to like?
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I am a resident of The Avenue and a long time admirer of the communal garden which has been excellent in supporting biodiversity in the local area and prompts many positive conversations amongst neighbours. Please do not let the negative comments of the very few ruin the enjoyment of the many.
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I walk past the garden every day and it always brings joy. The person who reported this should be ashamed, it's a valuable community asset maintained by a hard-working and dedicated volunteer.
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This is a beautiful community area and brings colour and joy to many of us
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The garden along The Avenue brings great joy to all residents! Thank you so much to those responsible for all the time, effort and creativity put into this space. It brings smiles to so many people and can't understand why anyone would complain about this! So much more love and effort has gone into it compared to many public spaces under Bromley Council!!!
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I support people like this caring for communal space and increasing biodiversity and community engagement with their local street scene. Please support the person doing this and do not simply return it to grass.
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This patch of land is so beautifully maintained and community-centric that it brings joy every time I walk past it. It’s a real benefit to local residents.
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Hefty works hard to keep a bee friendly area for us all. I live on apex close and fully support his endeavours. The man’s been on gardeners world & was praised for his efforts & community spirit. Long live freedom of expression.
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This mean-spirited complaint says far more about the person who made it than it does about the person who has created this joyful community space enjoyed by all residents - young and not so young.
I hope the complainer - who certainly doesn’t represent our views - takes the time to read all the comments from residents who genuinely value this unique garden which has been created by someone who cares passionately about biodiversity and has invested their time and money to ensure it flourishes.
I live close by and it gives me huge pleasure every time I walk past. Counting bees is a delight!
Posted at 22.12 on 19-5-25
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This beautiful garden has brought so much life and colour to our street. It’s clear that a lot of time, care, and love has gone into creating this space, not only is it visually stunning, but it also creates a welcoming and uplifting environment for the whole community. The addition of the little free library is such a thoughtful touch, encouraging reading, sharing, and connection among neighbours of all ages. These kinds of initiatives should be celebrated, not criticised. Thank you to the neighbour who made this possible, you have made our area brighter, more joyful, and more connected for everyone.
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I enjoy seeing the flora & fauna when I walk past. It’s important to encourage the wildlife too
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Lovely little garden enjoyed by many
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I love walking by this garden. The time, care, and dedication it has taken over the years to create such a wonderful space that brings passers by together to admire the plants and add to the bee count. The plastic toys add an element of fun for the young, and young at heart. I cannot believe anyone would prefer a plain grass verge. Please do not remove it.
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I live on the Avenue and appreciate the garden which provides joy to so many. Long may it continue
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Absolutely wonderful that someone has taken the time to beautify boring grass verges. Sadly I had a similar complainer when I put in plants and spring bulbs around a street tree. Other neighbours had done the same and some jobs worth from the environment dept told us to remove them. Hmmhh local councillors were on our side and soon put the council officer in his place. There is such a thing as Friends of the streets in Bromley and they would certainly support the beautifying of street verges.
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I love this patch of pretty flowers. There is always something new and beautiful to admire. That someone has taken the time and care to plant something that adds such joy to the area is wonderful. I’m shocked that anyone would complain about it
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This is a disappointing thing to see reported. A garden that brings a diversity of wildlife and a joy to most who pass it is something to be celebrated, and those who maintain it, they are to be congratulated.
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I love the biodiversity, colour and life that this wildflower garden brings to The Avenue — and I am a resident of the road. Bromley Council should leave well alone.
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This little piece of grass verge makes my day everytime i pass it. It's an absolute privilege to share this with the community and thank the person who created & maintains it.
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This is a joyous community garden. The gardener grows herbs and invites residents and passers by to snip off any herbs for cooking. It brings joy to me every time I walk past it. And when I have my niece ir friends’ children over they always ask if they can go to the garden and look at new flowers and count bees. It’s a beautiful thing and even more wonderful that someone gives all their time to provide such joy for neighbours. Pure kindness. And that’s a community I love being part of. How someone can call it a ‘land grab’ is beyond me. The garden is absolutely beautiful. Please ensure it stays.
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It would be an awful error to remove this communal garden. It is a wonderful and colourful patch of nature, maintained at no cost to the public purse, doing no harm to anyone and bringing a little joy to all that pass by. Why on earth anyone would complain is beyond me. I think we need more like it not less.
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I’m dismayed that anyone could see this wonderful community garden as anything other than a beautiful and much-needed addition to an otherwise dull patch of grass. I’d take vibrant flowers and greenery over rubbish and dog mess any day. Not only does the garden brighten up the area for passersby, but it also supports bees and other vital wildlife.
Whoever complained should take a long, hard look at themselves — perhaps they’re missing the bigger picture.
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It’s a lovely interesting and unique little verge, that we as a family enjoy waking past to enjoy like many others do. It’s quite the opposite of a ‘land grab’ rather, giving back to the local community with hours of hard work to get it looking so wonderful, for us all to enjoy.
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The stretch of community garden is absolutely stunning, bio diverse and immensely rewarding for those of us who live nearby, anyone complaining is shortsighted, we released our butterflies there last year and they landed on all the flowers whilst a little boy watched with his Dad. We always turn the counter over to count the bees too. We who live here 100% support the garden. Under no circumstances should you consider removing those beautiful plants and bee attracting flowers!!!!!
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This little community garden is an absolute joy. It brings happiness to humans and the insects it attracts. Removing it seems absurd as it is well cared for and maintained at no cost to the council. One persons opinion does not echo the community opinion as you can see.
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This community garden is such a wonderful addition to the street. I love walking past it. It would be an awful shame for it to be removed and I can’t comprehend the complaint’s view of it being unsightly.
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We love this community garden, it looks so beautiful and colourful, and great for nature, we need more of this in the area, not less. Please do not remove it, it is fantastic! What a shame that somebody has tried to ruin it for everyone! Not a "land grab" in the slightest, it's very clearly a kind and superbly maintained gesture for everyone walking by to enjoy!
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I live on The Avenue and I love Hefty's garden. I see it every time I leave my flat and very often I see people have stopped to admire it, letting their kids look at it, letting their dogs sniff it etc.
Having a load of attractive flowers which are good for the pollinators is hugely more beneficial than the parched mowed monoculture grass that the council insists on having for the rest of my road (really wish you'd at least do no-mow May, or do what seems to have been done on Foxgrove Road where you just mow a picture frame round the edge and leave the middle for wildflowers).
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This little community garden is lovely, it brings a smile to my face when I walk past it. It's well maintained, encourages bees and is a general uplift to the community. It would be an absolute travesty to remove it, especially after all the hard work that has gone into it.
Be (or maybe bee 🐝) kind and please do not destroy it.
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Please do not remove this carefully maintained garden! We in Beckenham need to encourage initiatives like this, not discourage the people who work so hard to make our town colourful and welcoming.
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We live in an she where someone thinks it’s ok to report an improvement made for the benefit of the WHOLE community as an issue to the Council. How very sad.
To the person who made the little guerrilla garden, thanks for taking your own time and money to make it.
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I don't understand why someone has complained about this. The garden brings joy to children and residents and has clearly been very carefully planned and maintained - the original complaint has sadly missed the point of it, and misrepresentated what it looks like. Please keep it as is!
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I was thrilled to find this book crossing zone and garden when walking in The Avenue shortly after moving to the road. A couple of months ago. Please don’t get rid of it Bromley Council.
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Seriously? Someone is complaining about flowers? We need flowers, because pollinators need flowers. Reverting to just grass would look terrible because councils typically don't maintain grass verges (because that costs money), which then end up looking tatty and patchy. Some people!
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I fully support the flowery garden. It gives life to the street. My child and family loves it. I praise the person who has created it. It is unbelievable that people complaint about it.
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Research has shown that seeing flowers and nature lifts people’s mood. The majority are lifted when they walk past this garden, please do not take that away from this community
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This garden is a beautiful spot on the avenue which brings a smile to the faces of the residents and passers by. I would hate to say it removed. This type of initiative should be encouraged as it increases biodiversity and unites the community.
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This little garden is enjoyed by many local residents and I can’t understand why there are complaints about it. It gives so much pleasure and helps to engender community spirit, for both young and older residents. Please don’t request its removal!
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Really ?? It such a beautiful little lovely garden , always admiring and taking lots of pictures! Makes the area so pretty
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A land grab? Really? It’s a joy and uplifting sight for most people who see it. Cared for and perfectly contained. Doing absolutely no harm to anyone but doing an enormous amount of good for the environment and general wellbeing. Shame on the original, miserable complainant.
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I fully support the person who created this ,my grandchildren love it.
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It is a beautiful garden and a fantastic community driven idea! Please do not let one miserable person’s comments lead to the destruction of this garden. So many people absolutely love it!
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It is a beautiful garden and the Bees love it. Please keep it
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@hefty’sgarden is a talented gardener with an eye for colour and design and sharing that for free. ‘Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder’ but I think the complainant is somewhat exaggerating. The urgent environmental need for encouraging insects pollinators etc wherever and whenever we can is more important as people above have pointed out
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I'll quote RHS gardener Tom Massey "large swathes of monoculture lawn are high maintenance and of low value to wildlife. Replacing a lawn with a biodiverse mix of plants creates a haven for wildlife as well as an uplifting and immersive aesthetic display."
I wholeheartedly support this garden. It’s wonderful to see someone in the community putting in their time and energy to create something that not only brings us joy but also helps local wildlife. I’d far rather have this biodiverse garden than a patch of plain grass that offers nothing—just a green desert.
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I live in the area - the garden is a lovely addition and everyone loves it. The person who complained should be ashamed of themselves - what have they ever done to benefit local people?
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I've been past this lots of times and think it's fantastic. Why would anyone complain?
This is the sort of public-spirited community gardening that the borough should encourage. Mean spirited 'grass only' nimbys shouldn't ruin it for everyone else. They should be ashamed.
We need more planting to support a rich, diverse array of insects and pollinators and moments of joy like this.
More community garden, more flowers, less boring grass please!
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I'm not sure why there has been complaints about this as its been a lovely feature of this road.
There is no reason to remove but keep it!
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It’s a joy to pass this little garden! Why would anyone want to remove it????
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I always enjoy seeing this little oasis of diversity and look out for it every time I pass. So much nicer and more interesting than a patch of grass.
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The garden area in question is a welcome oasis of biodiversity and a communal treasure and point of pride.
It should be celebrated, not condemned by the joyless and small-minded.
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Magical space for toddlers and children at the eye level of the flowers and toys.
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I love the community gardens we have in Bromley and the postbox toppers. In an increasingly sterile and miserable worl we need more things that bring us pleasure and joy for free!
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This looks beautiful and better than grass that doesn’t look green
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This is an absolute asset to the streetscape, it is not at all dangerous or poorly done. It’s attractive, helps to diversify the wildlife and bees, and looks wonderful. Absolutely do not remove it.
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I would like to add my voice to the overwhelming majority who would like this garden to stay as is! We walk past every and its a joy to see the biodiversity and plants. Please don’t let one killjoy spoil it for the many
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I think the community garden is wonderful. Surely we can come together and enjoy some community spirit.
Thank you Hefty for looking after this spot of paradise!
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I love seeing the garden. It really enriches the community and has inspired my own gardening. Please keep it
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This community garden is exactly the type of activity which should be encourage supported and commended. It’s beautiful and is much appreciated , please ignore these mean spirited complaints they clearly are not the majority consensus .
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I live on the Avenue - Hefty's garden brings so much joy to view. All my visitors comment on it and say how lovely it is.
Hefty has gone to a lot of time and effort to turn a previously unused patch of (increasingly dry and over-mowed) grass into a wonderful little space for our community to enjoy. I walk past the garden nearly every day - and see people of all ages enjoying the space. Plus a multitude of bees and other pollinators.
Imagine if we let all our grass verges be natural, left the grass to grow and planted wildflowers. Our whole borough would have many nature corridors and we would all be able to enjoy the beauty of nature.
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This use of a community space is exactly what's needed - the garden is beautiful all year round and brings residents and visitors to a standstill with its beauty.... not only that residents can help with the garden providing a sense of wellbeing and stops loneliness in those of us living alone. Hefty deserves an O.B.E for his services to the borough.
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How can you not like a communal garden? It is beautiful! Most communal places are neglected, but here, someone cares and people find joy in it. How on earth has someone time to complain about something nice and civilised.
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I live in the area and I’m a big fan of the communal garden! I think it looks beautiful and brings pleasure to anyone walking past it. I can’t see why anyone would complain about it!
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Daily I pass this verge.....throughout the years I've taken pictures (1 attached), spring was beautiful and I enjoy seeing how the community garden evolves throughout the year. Admiration to all the efforts and consistency in developing and bringing joy to the locals, except for this 1 person.
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It’s incredible that people use their own time, and finance to support and improve their community and the environment! If only more residents were like this. The council could learn a thing or two from people creating wildflower gardens, they are much needed!
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Such a special place to stop by and admire the wildlife - the Person caring for it is remarkable and caring for the nature and community. It is adding to the charm of the street, and is appreciated by the residents. Thank you to our neighbours for supporting this fantastic project!
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How dare that mean person feel they’re speaking for the community. I live on the Avenue and consider Hefty’s garden a real bright spot along the road. It makes good use of what was an unloved (by the council) and scraggy but if land. The year round colour teaches us about differing plants per season, the free herb garden is a godsend and used frequently by neighbours and me; the bee count is a fantastic initiative and something many of us enjoy - adults and children. The colour and vibrancy brightens up each day and with the whole space being community themed, it really does bring locals together. The encouragement to stop and read is a reminder for our wellbeing and the invitation to share is an important societal message. Do not make decisions our Hefty’s garden based on the minority mean mindset.
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This is a fantastic garden - well done Hefty. This sort of thing should be repeated everywhere!
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Noooo far more to worry about in world !! Bees use it, people enjoy it, it’s beautiful-no problem with it except for some people’s misanthropy
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This garden brings joy to the passers-by and puts a smile on faces
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What a mean-spirited act in complaining about the garden. It costs nothing for the Council or residents and brings joy to passers by. It should be allowed to remain.
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Thank you for the enquiry and comments received. We are currently assessing the location and will update in due course.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 15:53, Tuesday 3 June 2025
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