Wiltshire Council has taken decisive legal action to clear a severely overgrown garden at a vacant property in Trowbridge, which had become a persistent eyesore and source of concern for local residents.
Last month, the council’s Planning Enforcement team removed excessive vegetation from both the front and rear gardens after the property owners repeatedly ignored requests to tidy the land. The garden had deteriorated into an unkempt jungle, negatively impacting the visual amenity of the area.
The council acted under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act due to the garden’s effect on the neighbourhood’s appearance. Despite opportunities to voluntarily address the issue, the property owners failed to comply, prompting the council to intervene directly.
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In order to recover clearance costs and protect public resources, the council will place a charge on the property.
Cllr Adrian Foster, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning, development management, and housing, said: “This untidy, overgrown garden was affecting our local community, so we took action. The property’s condition was a significant concern for residents, and I’m pleased we have been able to resolve it. We remain committed to using our enforcement powers and taking firm action whenever neglect harms the community.”