..to want to turn terrace back alley into a community garden?

[missbunnyrabbit]

I live in a row of Victorian terraces with another row behind me. In between our yards is a cobbled back alley. At the moment it is full of weeds and grass between the cobbles, bits of rubbish, and a big crate from someone's old building work. We use the alley for our bins, but no vehicles ever go down there.

I have this dream of giving it a tidy and planting things there. Some small trees going down the middle, little flowers or shrubs by the edges. Turn it into a place that will attract birds and insects etc.

I feel like if I wrote to the council, or neighbours, they wouldn't want it to happen and that would shut it all down. Then if I tried anything, they'd know it was me and I'd get into trouble/hated by neighbours.

I can't think of any disadvantages, I don't think it would obstruct anything, though I'd have to remove some cobbles here and there to be able to plant trees and plants. But it would create a nice view out of our back windows and would be a nice passage to walk down [I do see the occasional person walking down it].

So WIBU to, under the cover of darkness, become a secret community gardener and turn this alley into a wildlife haven? Or is it unreasonable to do without neighbours' and councils' permission. I'm happy to do it all myself.

I had a friend who did something very similar, spent her own money and time clearing, power washing and painting the alleyway behind her house, she arranged for the council to pick up the mattresses and other large items that had been left there. Within a week other stuff had been dumped, someone painted graffiti all over the walls , plant pots all dumped outside her back gate and when she complained got told that if she could just go do what she wanted in the alley then so could other people.

@BecksBristol

correction that should read North of Ireland

No, it should read Northern Ireland.

Tidying it up and prettifying is a great idea. Perhaps you'll get people joining in?
Taking the cobbles up could land you in bother - definitely dont do that!

Get your neighbours involved. This isn’t something one person should get to unilaterly decide for others because if neighbours think getting rid of the crate is an option, they may have other ideas (eg turning it disabled access, if possible, for neighbours).

Yambu.
As long as you don't restrict access or have huge roots underground then go ahead.
I'm trying to green our grotty estate. I should really see if I can find some nice like minded neighbours.

Yes you definitely can’t do it yourself because that would raise eyebrows. Try to make it as inclusive as possible so it suits the elderly, children and caters for socialising too.

YABU. You can’t block the alley by planting trees. The crate is a separate issue to this and is not relevant.

Common practice now round here to spruce up the alley ways. Not with trees but decluttering, weeding, flowers and paint.
They look loads better and are a good community bonding initiative too. Dates get posted on local Facebook pages and anyone who wants comes along to join in.

Check out guerilla gardening. I worked with a girl who had a charity doing this, it’s generally legal and there is guidance out there on how to go about doing it. I think it’s a lovely idea, we have a corner of a scruffy green near us someone has turned into a little garden and it’s so uplifting.

The alleyways near here aren't wide enough for vehicular access anyway. They are more foot access only. But then wouldn't be wide enough for trees either.

I'd start with a general litter pick/tidy.

This was the link:
www.dreamgreen.earth/learn

A lovely idea but removing things like weeds is probably actually worse for the insects etc! Can you just add things in rather than take anything away? Spread some seeds, plant pots, add some climbing plants, bird houses, bird bath, bee house, bed hog house, log pile, compost pile etc? Definitely research anything you remove before removing (other than litter) as otherwise you might be doing more harm than good.

A bit like this OP?

Trees cause all sorts of issues, one via their root system. Foot access is blocked, which includes emergency services entering from the back. 'Weeds' are wild plants and usually native, so are useful to insects. Are the cobbles old? They may be more special than you think.
Get into the council and get it cleaned up, but stick to pots outside of your bit and canvas opinion.
Who are your neighbours? If it becomes nice enough to sit out in, then you create other problems.

It's not really a community garden if you do it unilaterally against the wishes of your neighbours!

Trees down the middle is a bad idea. The roots tend to buckle any paving near by and can damage walls and fences, you can incur some big costs to maintain trees too or if they get too tall they will block sun to the gardens. Not to mention they will permanently block access.

Nice idea to tidy it and add some pots/planters/hanging baskets though. Choose things that are low maintenance and make sure any containers are easily moved so that if you do get complaints you can move things.

Thanks everyone! Lots to think about. I'm very shy and the thought of trying to get everyone in on it is quite daunting.

I might start by just doing some climbers and shrubs by the back of mine and maybe sprinkle wildflowers seeds everywhere. Maybe people will copy me!

My yard is pretty stuffed with plants but I guess I could train a tree to overhang into the alley instead? So not blocking access. There is a tree in someone else's yard overhanging too and it looks so nice.

You are obviously quite hung up on trees in particular. They are a contentious issue for many reasons. If you train one to grow hanging over your fence/wall, the part over your boundary will belong to the landowner of the alleyway who can simply cut it back. Trees create shade, which can lead to damp areas which get mossy and slippery. Keep it simple. And really you would do better to talk to your neighbours and get their agreement - I mean why would they disagree so involve them

Don't remove cobbles - cobbles are protected where I live! Add some planters and trellis along the sides. Plant things like jasmine which smells lovely. Maybe some benches to encourage outdoor socialising with the neighbours? Keep the access open.

Just remember that your "nice" might not be someone else's nice.

My neighbour has allowed ivy to grow all over the fence along our boundary. She loves how it looks. I do not - its coming over the fence and swamping my plants and takes a lot of work to control. I like the damage it's doing to the fence (which is mine to pay for) even less.

Make sure you plant things you can easily contain. Dont just sprinkle wildflower seeds everywhere- it could look really messy, and damage any paving/cobbles. Put them in some planters or tubs. And make sure any climbing plants aren't going to rapidly invade your neighbours.

You might be better off with a hedge than a fence @NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

You can’t plant trees down the middle op, that’s a ludicrous idea. You can tidy it and plant some non invasive flowering plants down the sides but you can’t do anything that will obstruct it.

Like this one? I have just posted this link on the other Terraced house back alley thread running currently.
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/south-belfast-alley-completely-transformed-18428892

And I’d agree do not sprinkle wildflower seeds. If you’ve any gardening knowledge you’ll know they can cause grasses and weeds to grow dependent on what’s in the mix, which will cause an even bigger issue in time

If you’re going to do something, tidy it. Remove weeds. Plant some non invasive plants round the edges and make sure nothing is obstructed.

Don’t just plant wildflower seeds everywhere 🤦‍♀️

I think before you even start a project like this you need to do some research on wild flowers, wildlife, the law on nature etc. because you don’t actually have a clue.

You’re looking at it from an entirely “but I just want it to be pretty though!” perspective and not taking in the wider implications or practicalities.

Your nice isn’t someone else’s nice.