Residents’ bid to save their garden pond

RESIDENTS in Bedminster are fighting to keep a pond in the garden of their housing block.

The 10 pensioners who live in Avonleigh Court, in Palmyra Road, have signed a petition asking housing provider Riverside ECHG to allow them to keep the feature which has been part built by Pete Bonnet, a former builder, who has lived there for seven years.

Mr Bonnet, 67, said he had been working to maintain the garden in the grounds of the property and the residents have been given the landscape contract to carry out the gardening.

He said: “I’ve removed a lot of undergrowth and weeds to make the area nicer – many of the neighbours have commented it is better and provided a bit more light.

“We’ve been given the gardening contract so we maintain the grounds between us. I asked for permission to build the pond but I didn’t hear anything. I waited two months and kept calling but didn’t hear anything so just started work.”

But once work had started Mr Bonnet received a letter from Riverside ECHG saying the land must be restored to its previous state because of health and safety issues as well as maintenance concerns.

“There are other matters of health and safety around this property including rotten wood in the stairways and gravel in the drains causing them to flood”, said Mr Bonnet.

“Some of the walls around the pond have a three or four foot drop around them with no hand rail. The pond is only 18 inches at the deepest part and will be covered with mesh so I don’t understand why they say we can’t have it. Most people at the housing association have been so helpful but there is just no common sense here.”

Many of the other pensioners living in Avonleigh Court have backed Mr Bonnet and signed a letter requesting that the pond be completed.

One resident, who would only give his name as Barney, said: “I’ve nothing against it. If Pete wants to have his pond then he should be allowed to. It’s not doing any harm.”

A spokeswoman for the housing association said: “As the landlord, Riverside ECHG has an important responsibility to take into account the safety of all our tenants and those in the local community who have access to the garden and to the pond at Avonleigh Court.

“While we understand the wish to enhance the scheme’s garden we must ensure that our tenants, some of whom are very frail with sight problems, as well as visiting grandchildren, are kept safe from harm.

“For this reason, we are looking at the removal of the pond and will be liaising with tenants about other alternatives that would be equally attractive but would not carry the risk.

“Regarding the external stairs – we have ensured they are safe for tenants to use and we expect our contractors to have carried out final repairs within the next two weeks.”