Gardening used to be therapeutic for Mum, but she has lost all interest,
Gavin McEwan, Local Democracy Reporter
10:57, 07 Oct 2025
Ann Callaghan at the disputed garden(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A Hereford pensioner fears the garden, which she had always thought was hers, is to be given to a neighbour.
Ann Callaghan has lived for nine years in a ground-floor flat in Crossfields in the west of the city, and believed the original lease made it clear that the outdoor area to the side and rear came with the property.
But now she says social landlord Connexus has told her this “means nothing”.
A more recently arrived upstairs neighbour has been arguing he has the right to parts of this – starting with a washing line that Ms Callaghan herself put up.
Daughter Emma Holt said her mother then got a visit in person from Connexus staff which left “her very upset”, and fearing that giving the neighbour the use of the side garden “would make her a prisoner in her own home.”
“We have been to-ing and fro-ing with them since then,” Ms Holt said, while a formal complaint has gone to the Housing Ombudsman.
“Gardening used to be therapeutic for Mum, but she has lost all interest,” she added.
Attempts were made to contact the neighbour for comment.
Connexus head of communities Gary Darlington said: “We work closely with our customers to ensure that any issues raised are listened to and handled in a sensitive and equitable way.
“We are aware of the issue that’s been raised and are working with our customers to come to a fair and mutually agreed outcome.”
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