Northampton pensioner, 69, pleads with housing provider to trim 'dangerous' trees at the bottom of her garden

A Northampton pensioner is pleading for a housing provider to trim back “dangerous” trees at the bottom of her garden.

Julia Brough, who is 69 years old and has dementia, is calling on West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) housing provider, Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH), to make her property in Goldcrest Court, Goldings safe for her to enjoy. The mother says the trees, which are on council land, have grown so big that they block natural light from into her living room, that the branches have become so large they could snap and injure her, and the fallen leaves are a trip hazard.

Julia said: "I love my neighbours, I love my bungalow, I love everything about it and I don't want to leave, but it's so dark. I just want a bit of light in here. If I can get the trees trimmed back I'd really appreciate it. I've got dementia, and I fall over on these leaves quite often. I'm having accidents, it's very dangerous."

Keith Brough, Julia's ex-husband, said the trees' branches could snap and “kill her". He said: "The trees have always been a problem over the years. Last year a big branch came down and just missed her as she was hanging some washing out.

"If she goes out and a branch comes down it'll kill her. The leaves come down and fill the garden and are a trip hazard. It’s dangerous. The trees are that bad you can't see in her living room, inside her house is dark."

Keith and Julia have approached the council and Age UK but as "nothing was getting done" they came to the Chronicle and Echo as a last resort. Keith said: "The council keep promising to send someone round year after year after year but nothing gets done. Age UK has approached the council within the last couple of months and they have put it down as a job but they haven't done anything whatsoever.

"The trees just need cutting back for safety. That's all it is. We’re not asking for a miracle. Just so she can get some natural light in her living room without having the light on, because the cost of electricity is going up."

Nicky McKenzie, director of housing at NPH, said surveys are currently being carried out on trees in Goldcrest Court and will be completed by December. Mr McKenzie said: “We’re sorry to hear of the concerns Ms Brough has about the trees around her home.

"We are currently carrying out surveys on the trees in Goldcrest Court, and these will be completed by December. We will carry out any works that are recommended in the tree survey report to make sure they are safe and aren’t causing danger to homes in the area.

"I understand the worries Ms Brough has, and we have arranged for a member of our team to visit her to discuss these in more detail, and to provide any additional support needed.”