Gardens and Planting
LWe have about 400 sq metres of planted areas here on the development, from the two courtyards to the driveway planting and upper walkway at the rear, and the damp garden and the dry garden at the rear of Drake Court.
It is not an easy place to plant as we only have about 18” (45 cm) of soil so we are restricted to more shallow or fibrous-rooted plants. Also, the low depth of soil means it is very subject to extremes of weather: puddled or baked clay..
Would you like to help in the Garden?
Gardening or just being around plants is proven to be of great benefit to mental and physical health.
If you would like to help with any aspect of the gardening – from dead-heading to transplanting – even if just for half an hour – please let us know. We would love some help, as we do not have outside contractors any more. But, while we welcome gifts from residents, please do not plant anything yourself in the gardens without asking first.
We are trying to encourage younger gardeners with their own small ‘Junior Gardeners’ corner of the main courtyard to grow herbs and vegetables.
Herbs
We have herb patches in both courtyard which are free for snipping by all residents: Mint, Tarragon. Thyme, Chives, Parsley, Coriander. Larger shrubs of Rosemary and Sage and Fennel plants are also around in both courtyards, as are more chives.
Please treat the gardens with respect – don’t throw litter or walk around inside the beds.
Please note we can’t guarantee against allergic reactions nor for the stability of the wall copings.
General Request for use of the gardens and outside areas
Please read the following PDF document on use of gardens and external communal areas
Car Parks
When the development was built owners had a right to buy a car park space along with their flat. If that is the case for your flat, you will find your allocated space either in the upper covered car park (aka -1 car park) or outside (where there are a few Berwick spaces) and your lease will refer to it.
How to find your space: The spaces do not follow alphabetic nor block sequence, so you have to look for yours: the plan of the car park spaces below might help you!
The allocation is painted in yellow on the floor in front of each space. Each block has a letter (B =Berwick, D=Drake, KF = Kingfisher, K=Kittiwake, L=Lapwing, R=Redwing, S = Skylark, SW=Swallow and the flat number is written next to it. E.g. KF 9 = Kingfisher Court, flat 9.
Some flats have their allocated space outside the building between the gates to -2 and -1 car park.
A few flats have a second purchased space in the lower car park (aka -2). Those spaces are numbers only with no reference to the block or flat number.
Visitor car park spaces have a white letter V and are located just before the caretaker’s hut, before you get to -1 car park. Please do not abuse this area, e.g. if you have only one car park space but two cars.
Please refer to the following PDF document for Car park spaces details
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any of the communal areas inside the buildings– i.e. corridors, landings, stairwells, entrances or car parks. This includes vaping.
Do not open the landing windows in order to smoke.
Smoking is also not permitted in any of the communal areas outside i.e. courtyards, driveways, with the exception of the designated area (see below)).
- You are responsible for ensuring any visitors or workmen do not smoke in any of these areas
- Please be mindful of other people if you are smoking on the balcony as this your secondary smoke may be harmful to neighbouring residents.
- Please make sure you supply appropriate ashtrays and do not throw cigarette ends over the balconies, into courtyards or into the flower beds (in summer this is a particular fire risk)
- You are permitted to smoke inside your flat, provided your letting agent/landlord has not forbidden it (see your rental agreement). Note that smoking of cigars, pipes or marijuana may have separate specific rules from your landlord.
- There is a designated smoking area with a wooden bench at the back of the development opposite the gates of the upper main car park (-1).