• THE whole excuse for closing down Bassett Street Community Garden and making it a private garden for the residents in block 6-60 was the result of a survey carried out in April among the residents in the block, (We are not ‘closing down’ the garden in Bassett Street, July 25).

What questions were asked have never been made public, but the survey results showed only two flats of the 27 in the block wanted to keep the garden as it is; that is a garden for the whole community. Cllr Meric Apak quoted this in his letter as justification for closing the garden.

As soon as they heard about it, 14 flats objected, saying they wanted the garden kept as it is. The council is acting against the wishes of the residents in the block and the gardening club.

Also residents said it had not been made clear to them that they would have to pay for the upkeep of the garden. Even the council admits they failed to do this.

Residents can join the garden club, and have a bed of their own, just by applying to join and paying the membership fee. So calling the survey the council has conducted “flawed” would be a gross understatement.

It is just plain wrong. If it was not so unreliable then we could point out that the majority said they wanted it as a garden for the block and some local community.

One fact that has not been mentioned is that it will cost £8,000 to demolish the raised beds and make it into a private garden. Where this money is going to come from is not clear.

KEIRAN PROFFER
Bassett Street Garden Club Committee