A pensioner from Norwich has been banned from gardening outside his home in a dispute over a tiny picket fence.
Almost two months ago, Julian Phillips, who lives at Helgate Court on Westwick Street, transformed a communal “mud field” into a green space for those living at the property to enjoy.
The 80-year-old laid turf, planted flowers and installed a low, one-foot-high picket fence to protect the area from vehicles driving onto it.
However, despite his efforts, Orbit - the housing group that owns the 31 flats - said it would have to remove the fence, calling it a “trip hazard".
In a letter sent to Mr Phillips, the association added that his "quality of workmanship raises safety concerns and does not meet the required specifications and standards".
Orbit, who had vowed to removed the fence within seven days, eventually took it down three weeks later and is now attempting to stop Mr Phillips from doing any gardening at the site.
The group had taken away his personal lawn mower for five days and asked him to leave all maintenance to the site’s "odd job man".
And after the mower was eventually returned to Mr Phillips, he was told he would no longer be able to keep it in the store room and is now forced to store it inside his car.
"I can't see what the problem is because people living here have complimented my work," Mr Phillips said.
"All I do is try my best to make the garden look lovely for everyone who lives here."
Although Orbit promised to replace the fence after removing it in July, nothing has been installed so far.
A spokesman for Orbit has since commented on the situation.
He said: "We appreciate customers taking pride in their community and wanting communal areas to look their best.
"At Helgate Court, grounds maintenance is provided on behalf of all customers by a contractor appointed by us.
"As the gardens are a shared space, we have asked residents not to undertake maintenance activities themselves so that services can be delivered safely, consistently and fairly for everyone living at the scheme."
However, Mr Phillips claims he was previously allowed to create the new garden space back in July after no concerns were raised.
Orbit has since been asked to fix a broken roof from which debris has fallen onto a now cordoned-off patio area.
An uneven paving slab has also been reported after it caused Mr Phillips to trip and fall over.
Both issues were reported at the start of August, and an Orbit spokesman said "separate repairs have been arranged".
He added: "We are committed to completing these works as quickly as possible and will keep customers informed of progress.
"We remain committed to working with all residents at Helgate Court to ensure communal areas are safe, well maintained and enjoyable for everyone."
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