A Dagenham homeowner has been fined nearly £2,000 because of his messy gardens. 

On 29 May 2024, Barking and Dagenham Council received a report regarding the condition of the gardens at a house on Ford Road, Dagenham. 

On inspecting the property, Environmental Enforcement Officers from Barking and Dagenham Council found both the front and back gardens to be an eyesore, a potential source of pests and rodents, and clearly detrimental to the local area. 

A warning letter was issued to the homeowner, Mr Sheehan, instructing him to clear the gardens and correctly dispose of all the waste generated. 

On 10 July 2024, a follow-up site visit showed no improvement in the condition of the gardens.

Consequently, a legal notice was served under S.215 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990, requiring Mr Sheehan to address the overgrown foliage and accumulated waste on his land.

Despite the notice coming into effect on 7 August 2024, with a compliance deadline of 14 August 2024, another site inspection on 20 September 2024 confirmed that the gardens remained in the same condition and Mr. Sheehan had failed to comply with the legal requirements on the notice.

As a result, Mr Sheehan was summoned to Barkingside Magistrates Court on 25 March 2025 where he was found guilty in his absence and ordered to pay:

• A fine of £440
• Costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £1,267
• A Victim Surcharge of £176

A total of £1,883.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “Gardens like this are not only an eyesore but as this case shows can pose a real risk to the local community as an ideal environment for pests and rodents. 

“It is crucial for property owners to maintain their land to ensure the well-being of the neighbourhood, and while the enforcement process can be lengthy, we will take action.”

Residents can report eyesore gardens on the council website: www.lbbd.gov.uk/pests-pollution-noise-and-food/report-untidy-garden