Dozens share struggles of getting dangerously-tall Northampton trees maintained after close shave

Dozens of Northampton residents have shared their experiences of dangerously-tall trees not being cut down by the council after one fell onto a pensioner's garden.

Northampton Borough Council has agreed to review its tenancy agreements, which currently make tenants responsible for maintaining huge trees in their gardens following the close shave last week.

Tales of years of complaining to the local authority and its housing association, Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH), were shared on the Chronicle & Echo's Facebook page in response.

Jackie Streeton wrote: "I don't have any trees in my garden however I do have huge trees behind my garden on council property which are hanging over my garden.

"When I contacted the council about the trees, they denied the land was there's at first until I paid to access on the land registry.

"Then it took five months to get their permission to pay myself to have the trees cut away. Not once did they offer to do the task.

"One tree is so big if it falls it would damage four bungalows and possibly kill someone. My neighbour is a keen gardener and is always in her back garden."

Catherine Murray-Rhoades commented: "I've spent 15 years asking the council to maintain a tree at the rear of our property adjacent to the A43 which is on their land only to be told cut it down myself which I can't.

"None of the trees along that stretch of road have ever been maintained and many people have been complaining."

Samuel Masters added: "I know someone who moved into a new house and within two weeks received multiple complaint letters about some trees in the backyard that have been there for years before she moved in.

"The council expects her to pay for the removal of them."

A 50-60ft tree in Delapre fell minutes after Iris Pursglove and her seven-year-old great-granddaughter had gone inside during the high winds of Storm Francis on Tuesday (August 25).

The 81-year-old Hereward Road resident has been living in fear of the collection of eight large trees coming down for years while large branches have been snapping off regularly, most recently into a neighbour's garden in March.

The council tenant has complained to NPH many times but was always told it was down to her to pay for them to be maintained, despite it costing hundreds of pounds and that not being the case for private renters.

Jen Farhead wrote on the Chron's Facebook page: "I think the council is being ridiculous about this and should be maintaining those exceptionally large trees.

"As a landlord myself, my tenants are responsible for maintaining the trees, shrubs and plants in the garden. I expect things to be kept tidy, e.g. small branches picked up, weeds removed, small overhanging branches into the garden trimmed back -- with all tools having been provided to do so.

"However, I would never, ever expect them to be sorting out any trees or shrubs that are potentially dangerous to them or the property!

"I'd fully expect to take care of that myself. At the end of the day, that's still my property. The council are being completely wrong in this matter."

Cllr Stephen Hibbert, cabinet member for housing and wellbeing, said: “As a result of this issue being highlighted by the Chronicle & Echo, the council and Northampton Partnership Homes will carry out a review of the tenancy agreement to ensure that it accurately reflects on the maintenance of gardens, and particularly trees.

"We will ensure that any changes considered necessary are implemented and communicated to our tenants. Any changes would need to be agreed by our cabinet.”