People living on an estate in Hellesdon say maintenance crews mowing their lawns have left large piles of grass clippings and knee-high clumps of grass – or none at all.
Orbit Housing Group, which is responsible for maintaining the area on Cottinghams Drive, charges tenants a service charge of up to £32 a month for landscaping and lawn mowing.
The firm acknowledged that the maintenance team was not turning up as often as it should have, and said it had recently switched suppliers as a result.
‘THEY HAVE NO PRIDE’
Colin and Joyce Greenacre, both 91, have lived in Cottinghams Drive since it was developed nearly 50 years ago.
Colin said: “We’re paying Orbit to mow this little bit of grass outside our door and it’s shocking.
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“We’re trying to keep order there, but frankly, they’re not proud of what they’re doing.”
Colin was caretaker of the driveway when it first opened and his duties included mowing lawns, repairs and general maintenance. He held this role for two years.
“They haven’t come for half a year and they haven’t come in May because of the no-chop scheme, but they’re still taking money fast enough,” added Colin.
“And when they came, they did such a terrible job, and left scraps scattered all over the roads and paths.
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“They’re not proud of what they’re doing. It’s pathetic.”
According to Orbit, land contractors aim for 24 visits a year, an average of two visits per month in the summer season, but some have been forced to take matters into their own hands.
‘IT’S SO BAD IT’S A JOKE’
Lorraine Morris, 48, decided to mow her own lawn after Orbita’s latest visit completely missed her house.
“It was like a jungle there,” she said. “They didn’t come for so long and left the place a mess.
“Our neighbors had their grass cut after their car and at one point we thought someone was gassing outside, but it was a man on a lawnmower that literally drove into our outside wall.
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“It’s so bad it’s a joke.
Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We and a few others have now taken to cutting our own grass to avoid our properties looking like a mess from the front.
“Also, because of the amount of grass clippings that are left over, I find myself bringing them into the house when my kids come home from school.
“The last time this happened we ended up with a big vet bill due to grass seed finding its way into my dog’s paw.
WHAT DID ORBIT HOUSING SAY?
A spokesman for Orbit Housing said: “We recently changed maintenance contractors for the site at Cottinghams Drive but unfortunately the outgoing contractor did not keep up with the required frequency of grass cutting that was expected of them.
“Our new grounds maintenance contractor recently cut the grass but was unable to collect all the grass clippings at the time. He will be back as soon as possible to remove them.
“We apologize that the grounds have not been left in the condition that we and our customers expect and new contractors will be returning twice a month to carry out the agreed ‘mowing and mulching’ process along with other seasonal landscaping.”
“Our customers will receive a service credit to reflect this on their next annual statement.”