An Ipswich resident is in a row with the council after he was told to remove flowers he planted in the front garden he shares with his neighbours.

Michael Greenway says he has been told that the council “cannot mow the lawn” of the council-run garden for the flats, in Widgeon Close, after he planted flowers around the borders and a strip down the middle of the garden.

He was also told that the flowers should not be there, with the council saying it would help Mr Greenway find an allotment. 

The resident, who is currently in remission from lung cancer and has previously lived with depression, takes care of the garden to keep himself busy.

Mr Greenway said: "If I'm not doing something, I'm like a bear with a sore head.

Ipswich Star: The resident has more than a page of signatures for his petition against the council.The resident has more than a page of signatures for his petition against the council. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"I don't like sitting around and doing nothing; doing that garden and cutting the grass keeps me occupied."

He was informed by Ipswich Borough Council that maintenance teams cannot cut the lawn due to the flowers, and so he has set up a petition among the neighbours.

He added: "The council said they don’t want the flowers there because they cannot cut the lawn with their mowers. I’m trying to make the place look neat and tidy but no, they’re not interested.

Ipswich Star: I’m trying to make the place look neat and tidy, Mr Greenway said.I’m trying to make the place look neat and tidy, Mr Greenway said. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

“When I first moved into Widgeon Close around four years ago, the way the council cut the grass made it untidy, so I decided to buy a lawnmower and start cutting the grass, which I have been doing for a while.

“I then put some borders around the edge and then down the middle, which they don’t like as they say the mowers can’t do their jobs."

A spokesperson for Ipswich Borough Council said that the grounds maintenance team needs "full access" to carry out their work.

The spokesperson said: “Unfortunately as this is a communal garden area, our grounds maintenance team need to have full access to carry out their work.

“We are supporting the tenant in finding a nearby allotment plot.”