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Resident Fights Council Over Beloved Flower Pots: "They Bring Joy to the Village"
11 Sep
Summary
- Judith Seeley, 58, told to remove flower pots outside her home of 2 years
- Council claims pots obstruct footpath and pose safety hazard
- Seeley says pots have "caused no access problems" and "received much admiration"
In a clash between a resident's desire to beautify her neighborhood and the council's safety concerns, a 58-year-old woman in Patrington, East Yorkshire is facing an ultimatum to remove the flower pots that have graced the front of her home for the past 2 years.
Judith Seeley received an email from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council on September 2nd, 2025, requesting that she remove the planters due to "obstruction concerns." The council claims the pots take up "a third of the footpath" and create a "safety hazard" for pedestrians, including those with mobility issues.
However, Ms. Seeley strongly disagrees with the council's assessment. She maintains that in the time she has had the planters outside, they have "caused no access problems" and "received much admiration" from those passing by. Seeley's own mother, who uses a mobility scooter, has not encountered any issues navigating the pathway to the house.
Despite the council's demands, Seeley has continued to keep the flower pots in place as of September 11th, 2025. She expressed her frustration, saying, "It's frustrating when you try to enhance the village. You've got to abide by the rules, but it is a shame, it just takes one person to complain."
The council, however, remains firm in its stance, stating that the planters' placement on the edge of a junction poses a significant safety risk to various pedestrians, including children on bikes, people with wheelchairs, and those with limited vision.
