Gavin Vitler told to remove balcony memorial garden by RBH

The balcony memorial garden Gavin Vitler has been told to remove by RBH

Disgruntled resident Gavin Vitler has launched a petition after Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) told him to remove a memorial garden on his balcony as it ‘poses a health and safety risk’.

Gavin, who lives in Middleton, built the memorial to his grandfather after he died from cancer in 2011, taking cuttings of some of his grandfather’s plants and growing them in pots.

He said: “I used to spend many a day out in granddad’s garden with him when I was a little boy, helping him with his vegetables. He used to bag up what he had grown and hand it out to the neighbours. I got my love for gardening from him: I loved it when he taught me about the different plants in his garden and the vegetables he grew.

“When he was diagnosed with cancer, it was so upsetting to see this big, strong man become so weak. The garden became too much for him, but as he taught me about the growing of his favourite plants, I took it on. He would sit and watch what I was doing and guide me through.

“When he passed away, I felt lost and alone, so I took a few cuttings from his plants and began to grow them in pots at home. This became a comfort for me. I then added a little pond to the plants, because fishing was another one of his past times. So with the little pond and some of the lovely plants, I sit out in the summer and reflect on all good times I had with him.

“For RBH to say after all this time that it’s a risk to my safety is ridiculous. It’s not blocking my escape nor it is a hazard to my neighbours. I feel like I’m being bullied with them saying they’ll move it and dispose of it if I don’t, and face costs from them and the court.

“This little memorial means more than just fish and plants; I won’t give in to their demands and threats of court action.”

Gavin has been given 28 days from Thursday 24 November to remove the memorial, which is approximately three feet away from his door, before RBH does. He says he did not receive a letter and that the visit from an officer at RBH ‘was completely out of the blue’.

He also said he would put the electrical socket inside, but “RBH still insist it’s a health and safety issue”.

A RBH spokesperson said: “We have a legal responsibility to make sure that all our tenants are safe and secure in their homes and this includes making sure communal areas and any exit routes in case of fire are clear.

“As part of this we have sought advice from Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service and this is very clear that the communal means of escape in flats are to be free from obstruction.

“The issue of personal items outside a number of flats in this area has recently been raised, and following this RBH has written to and visited tenants to explain that the communal areas do need to be kept clear as they form the means of exit and escape for tenants.

“We employ independent fire risk assessors to make sure that our tenants are safe from potential fire, and RBH would be prosecuted if we fail to take appropriate measures to reduce fire risk.

“We would never ask for action to be taken unless we felt that it was necessary to prevent death or serious injury in case of fire.”

To sign Gavin’s petition, visit:

https://www.change.org/p/rochdale-council-save-my-memorial-for-my-grandad