..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.

@ContessaVerde

How would the bin wagon get past if it had trees planted down the middle?

Bin wagons don't go down the alley, they wouldn't fit, they usually pull all bins to the end of the road and collect from there.

There's one in Liverpool that was recently on the telly:
www.google.com/amp/s/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/rundown-alleyway-transformed-urban-oasis-18407780.amp

Do not block an access way. If need be the fire service would actually move the crate of rubble. They can't move trees. Also blocking a right of access/way would actually devalue the properties hwoever nice it looked.

I agree make it look lovely but everything in moveable containders or to the edge.

@DysmalRadius

Does anyone have strong feelings about whether South Africa could be described as being 'in Southern Africa'...?

Africa is a continent, not a country or even a geopolitical set of countries. If anyone objects to South Africa being in Southern Africa then I don't know where it's going to go, it may take a few too many years to detach it and let it go free

I’m sure if someone referred to an alleyway garden in South Africa as being in “the south of Africa” there would be a few confused faces!

Honestly OP- it’s a lovely idea but it does sound a bit like you just want to extend your garden....?

Also - if you’re willing to get the skip removed yourself to plant trees in its place, why aren’t you willing to just get rid of the skip???

Also emergency access

Also - if you move on, and it’s a secret, who will look after it? Surely it will just then become a diff kind of overgrown etc?

Like I say, lovely in theory but I suspect you’re not thinking the practicalities through.

Agree with everyone else, it's a nice idea but without the trees. Also don't lift cobbles as sometimes they're protected/listed and can also have re-sale value so if it's not your land whoever owns it could take a dim view of cobbles going missing!

I think I'd be delighted if I lived in that type of house and the neighbour wanted to do that - in fact I saw a house for sale last year and they'd done exactly that. They just had some benches, hanging baskets and pots but it was lovely!

These alleys weren't designed for modern vehicle access.
Most of the ones by mine are gated off to stop fly tipping. Residents have a gate key for those who don't want wheely bins in front yard.

Anything you put there need to be completely moveable. Benches. Plants in pots etc.

Agree, if they put their bins out there, then it’s likely the bin men come down to empty them, possibly not

But you’ll have a lot of angry neighbours if you start pulling up cobble stones, sprinkling wild flowers and plating trees down the middle,

Also are you in a good area? Are you sure if you put pots out folks won’t nick them?

Don't plant trees. Plant in containers that aren't seen as 'permenant.'

Trellis and climbers etc.

Guerilla Gardening is what this is, isn't it?

www.guerrillagardening.org/

Also do it slowly, little by little so people have the chance to get used to it.

What’s wrong with the OP wanting to extend her garden?

I think removing cobbles to plant trees is a bit fanciful. But I reason why you can’t tidy up the messy weeds and scatter some wild flower seeds, then put some planters and trellis outside your own section (then slowly encroach on more and more alley space!) Id recommend scattering some nigella and poppy seeds as they seem to grow anywhere and everywhere.

Does the alley need vehicle access for emergency vehicles or the bin lorry?

If not; I would clear away all the rubbish and weeds (responsibly, to legal tip) and sweep the cobbles clean. Then outside my own boundary/gate I'd put some pots or containers and plant them up.

Grow a clematis or sweet- peas over the wall/fence etc.

   I will bet anything that a couple of neighbours would do the same thing   and eventually spread along  so  you'd have a pretty communal area without ever having to   ask  any permissions ( so no opportunities for objections).    Only then would I consider digging up cobbles for space  to plant trees...

 Very recently I passed through a little  village  street where  someone had made a communal  container herb garden    (mint, chives, marjoram etc, all easy perennials)  with a little sign inviting anyone to help themselves to harvest some  fresh herbs for cooking.  What a lovely idea.   I'm   determined to do something similar locally and have started propagating already.

I think the neighbours would prob want to be included & would be ok with prettying it, but the trees down the middle is a step too far. It's not just access, when they're bigger they're going to overhang people's gardens .

@missbunnyrabbit

The thing about vehicle access though, is that a giant crate of old building rubble has been in the alley for the two years I've lived here - despite myself and my neighbour complaining to the council about it. So nothing could get down the alley whilst that's there anyway.

That kinda makes me think, if they can leave a giant crate there, I can plant trees? :S

I'd discreetly check if the crate was deliberately placed there to keep nuisance vehicles out ( so kids could play safely; or to deter night parking for sex).

It would be a huge waste of your time to do it if some twat then came along and destroyed it all. You need to have your neighbours backing first, just pop a note through their doors asking whether they like your idea.

My window cleaner accesses the back of the property through the alley. Kitchen appliances were delivered the same way as the kitchen is at the back and the hall has corners, workmen who needed to put ladders up at the back had to access through the alley for the same reason.

I hope to god you're not one of my neighbours

@FATEdestiny that’s beautiful, well done to your brother!

Op I think most sane people would be open to this to improve surroundings. Agree about not lifting cobbles for trees and scattering seeds Willy nilly. Start small, good luck

YABU. I have an alley like that behind my house, and it's essential for some things. Ours is used all the time.

How about espalier fruit or ornamental trees? They wouldn't block the alley.

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=319

@FATEdestiny

Some images of the front of my brothers flats.

So pretty! Congrats to your brother. Tell him he's found world fame on MN

@FATEdestiny

Some images of the front of my brothers flats.

That looks fab