I paved paradise for a parking lot… but my neighbours are NOT pleased: Fury as homeowner chops down tree and turns front lawn into huge driveway
- EXCLUSIVE: Internet trolls accuse owner of ‘vandalism’ for cutting down tree
- But nurse who create a large parking space now wants to sell property
A homeowner who turned her front garden into a huge parking lot blasts nosy internet trolls who have accused her of killing wildlife.
The Bolton, Greater Manchester resident came under fire after someone shared photographs of her Bradford Road home on Twitter, prompting social media users to accuse her of committing an act of ‘vandalism’ when she ‘destroyed’ her front garden and interrupted the wildlife habitat area by having the lawn paved over.
Old photos of the bungalow home, which allegedly went up for sale six years ago, show how it used to feature a grassy green space outfitted with trees, shrubs and other plants.
The front garden was then dug up and replaced by a concreate parking pad that is surrounded by a grey brick wall that community members claim looks ‘like a petrol station without the pumps’.
The homeowner, who declined to give her name, told MailOnline that the pictures have ‘made it look a lot worse than it actually is’ and that – despite what her neighbours claim – there was no wildlife on the property.
A homeowner who turned her front garden into a huge parking lot blasts nosy internet trolls who have accused her of killing wildlife. The bungalow, located on Bradford Road in Bolton, Greater Manchester, is seen this year
Old photos of the bungalow home, which allegedly went up for sale six years ago, show how it used to feature a grassy green space outfitted with trees, shrubs and other plants. The home is pictured in 2017
Photos of the bungalow were shared online last month, prompting an outcry from dozens of users.
‘I’m actually shocked by this. It was for sale in 2017 and then over six years they destroyed the garden. Such a shame!’ one wrote.
‘They changed it from cute, if a little dated, with a nice garden, to “badly converted spa”. It’s vandalism,’ one woman echoed.
Another added: ‘Takes a special talent to bring the value of your neighbours house down with your “renovation”.’
Others argued that the renovations ‘should not be legal’ and that it is ‘absolutely tragic’ to see ‘what are people doing to this planet’.
One woman questioned: ‘Why would anyone get rid of that beautiful garden and replace with concrete just to save parking outside the neighbours house?
One woman questioned: ‘Why would anyone get rid of that beautiful garden and replace with concrete just to save parking outside the neighbours house?
The owner of the proerty was seemingly aware of criticism, adding: ‘It’s just people’s opinions’
‘All those pollinators gone, mature tree gone, natural drainage gone all the character of the property gone just for parking space?’
MailOnline spoke to the homeowner, who is a nurse at Bolton hospital, this week outside the property. She was seemingly aware of the criticisms her renovation has received.
‘I think its just people’s opinions,’ she told MailOnline, adding that she thinks the photographs have exacerbated the situation.
Photos of the bungalow were shared online last month, prompting an outcry from dozens of people who accused her of committing an act of ‘vandalism’ when she ‘destroyed’ her front garden and interrupted the wildlife habitat area by having the lawn paved over
‘The way the pictures have been taken, it looks like its a massive area but its actually not,’ the homeowner explained. ‘The tree came down because my roof was leaking in and the moss. It’s been there five years before I got here.
‘I actually trimmed the tree at first but then when it was trimmed down all the birds started landing on it and then all this area below was full of bird crap. So, I can’t win.
‘They were also complaining about the wildlife, but I live on a main road. There’s no wildlife. Just because I cut a tree down there’s been a big uproar about it. For god’s sake just leave me alone.’
The nurse also revealed that while critics allege she ‘wanted parking space’, she actually opted to renovate the garden because of maintenance. Her busy schedule as a nurse made it hard to stay on top of the garden upkeep.
‘I work at the hospital, its my only day off today, on my day off I don’t wanna be doing this and paying for a gardener. I’m never here,’ she explained.
‘That’s a big reason why I’m selling it. Hopefully, I’ll sell it, it’s going through the process now. Hopefully they don’t see what’s going on online.’
Ian Broadbent, 75, who lives nearby told MailOnline that he isn’t bothered by the homeowner or how her garden-turned-car park.
‘It’s an alright garden, she keeps herself to herself. It’s neat so I can’t complain,’ Mr Broadbent said. ‘It’s not my choice, I like a bit of greenery but I know a lot of people don’t like gardening, you should see my son.’
He added: ‘I can’t see why people have kicked up a fuss, it’s been like that for two and half years now. I’ve not heard any neighbours say anything about it or anything like that.’
Resident Doreen McGonagall, 80, said that she knows the family and although they ‘had a very bad reputation in Farnworth’ years ago, ‘they’ve always been alright when they’ve lived here’.
Ms McGonagall said: ‘I’ve know her family for 50 years. We’ve never had no trouble with them so I don’t know why anyone else is.’
She added that the bungalow looks ‘very nice inside’ but the property doesn’t appeal to her because it faces a wooded waste land.
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