I was fined £5k over my junk-filled garden – the neighbours hate it but I think it’s beautiful… & I WON’T pay the fine
A PENSIONER fined £5,000 over his junk-filled garden has described it as "beautiful" - and has said he will refuse to pay.
Neighbours hate the mounds of mess in the 80ft green space at the back of Geoffrey Hobson's home but he is adamant it provides a "haven" for wildlife.
The 79-year-old has spent years dumping old furniture, ladders, and even three vehicles in his back garden in Beckenham, south east London.
Residents repeatedly complained to the council, and he was eventually served an "untidy site notice" after refusing to clear up.
He was ordered to court but failed to show so was found guilty in his absence and told to pay a £1,000 fine and £4,034.40 in prosecution costs.
However, the former builder plans to appeal, insisting his garden is none of anyone else's business.
Geoffrey, who has lived in the house for more than 50 years, said: "How can anyone complain about my garden? It's beautiful, full of greenery and full of memories.
"My back garden is not overlooked directly by anyone. I've been fined thousands for something that doesn't affect anyone else.
"I intend to appeal. I think my human rights have been breached.
"I'm an old man, I've got bad health, and I don't need this aggravation at my time in life."The dad admits that it might be "a bit messy" but claims nothing in his garden is dangerous, and it is actually home to many birds, squirrels and amphibians.
He sees it as his chance to "do his bit" for the environment from the comfort of his own home.
"I'm not a member of the Green Party but I agree with their theories," he said.
"There are so many cars on the roads and they're pumping out fuel and killing the environment, and I know that trees and vegetation are good.
"You've got to start somewhere. I'm old and I don't expect to live forever, but while I can, I would like to add to the fresh air.
"I find loads of animals in my garden. If squirrels and all these animals go into my back garden, it can't be that bad, but according to the council, I've got to cut those trees down.
"Nothing in my garden is environmentally unsafe or affecting anyone's health. Everything in there is fine.
"Why are they picking on me, someone whose own property is being put to good use? I'm standing up for the environment.
"My garden is a haven for wildlife. That is my ultimate aim."
Geoffrey claims he has never been given the opportunity to tell his neighbours about his oasis of a garden as they simply won't listen.
But some of those living in the quiet road claim they don't want to hear it as the pensioner's clutter causes them a major headache - even bringing rats to the street.
One woman who has lived there for 30 years, who wished to remain anonymous, said she can't let her grandchildren or dog in the back garden without a broom to bat away the rodents.
She claimed: "He's got outbuildings that have just collapsed and loads of furniture and rubbish. It's horrific.
"The family net door get hell, they've constantly got rats coming into their garden.
"We do too. We can't let the dog out in the back garden. We've got to be so careful.
"I've got grandchildren and you don't want to let them in the garden. You don't know what's out there.
"You have to stand out there with them with a broom to push the rats away if you see one. Everyone's got them."
UNTIDY NOTICE
However, another neighbour said they "barely noticed" the abandoned items scattered behind Geoffrey's property, while a third said he "keeps himself to himself".
Angela Page, executive councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement at Bromley Council, said his home fell below the standard of what is considered tidy.
"There is a legal criterion of what constitutes an untidy site," he said.
"And when a property falls below this standard and becomes extremely untidy, then we can and will take action to protect the amenity of the street and its residents.
"We will always seek to engage directly with the resident and ask that improvements be made.
"If, despite this, the situation does not improve then the decision will invariably be made to prosecute, which shows just how seriously we take this matter."
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