Council orders Nottinghamshire couple to remove balcony flower pots over fire-safety concerns

A Broxtowe Borough Council has ordered Julie and Derek Lee to remove flower pots and hanging baskets from their first-floor balcony in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, arguing the display constitutes a fire-safety hazard in communal areas. The order arrived with a two-day deadline last week, prompting a wave of heartbreak for the couple who say the plants have decorated their home for two decades and helped define their daily routine. The council said its actions are driven by fire risk assessments that require communal spaces such as stairwells, landings and balconies to be kept clear of hazards.

The Lees, who have lived in the two-bedroom leasehold flat for 36 years and have spent the last 20 decorating the exterior with baskets and plants, describe the decision as a devastating blow. Julie, 67, who recently underwent hip surgery, told local reporters that removing the plants has stripped away part of her home environment. "I've just had a hip operation, and we've had to decimate our pride and joy, clearing it all up. We've had to take all our hanging baskets down and we've destroyed all the plants. Our bin is full of plants. It's our world, and it's destroyed us to do this." Derek, 71, a retired train manager, echoed the sentiment, saying the couple’s balcony had long been a source of comfort and routine. "It was lovely to come home to flowers and plants and enjoy with a cup of tea but now you've ripped our hearts out. It's not the same." The couple emphasizes that the display did not impede their exit routes and notes that they used hooks that hung over the balcony to spread their greenery.

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Broxtowe Borough Council said the plant pots and hanging baskets could hinder safe passage in communal areas and insisted that the policy applies to all residents. A spokesperson stated: "In line with fire risk assessments that are conducted on our blocks, we have a legal responsibility to ensure that communal areas such as stairwells, landings and balconies are safe from hazards. This includes bicycles, doormats, prams, pushchairs, plants, furniture etc. If items are placed in communal areas or on paths that are escape routes, we will request that they are removed, as they could cause a fire safety hazard." The council stressed that the policies are not targeted at individuals but part of standard safety measures intended to prevent obstructions during evacuations and to maintain clear egress paths.

The Lees said they had no prior warning of the policy and have asked the council to reconsider, arguing that their balcony did not block access or impede emergency responders. They also stressed the emotional and financial investment in their display, noting that they have spent hundreds of pounds each year on new plants and decorative arrangements. "It's not even the cost that gets us, we just love it. You can't really put a price on it, it was a labour of love," Derek said. The couple, who have four grandchildren, said they remain hopeful for a reversal that would allow them to re-create a balcony display that has been a fixture of their lives for two decades.

The council said it would review complaints and assess whether exceptions could be made in specific circumstances, but it reiterated its primary responsibility is safeguarding residents in shared spaces. The Lees say they have written to the council requesting a reversal and have called on neighbors and supporters to advocate for a more flexible approach to balcony greenery in their block. The case has drawn attention to the balance between safety regulations and residents’ desire to personalize their homes, particularly in older housing stock where balconies and other communal areas are common.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions in urban housing where shared spaces are subject to tightening safety standards. While the council maintains that its measures are meant to protect residents, the Lees say the decision has left them feeling persecuted for a public display of affection for their garden. They hope a compromise can be found that preserves fire safety while allowing long-running decorative traditions to continue in a way that does not compromise safety or access for emergency responders.