Residents win garden dispute with housing company

Amanda Titley said the dispute had caused "untold stress"

Six Shropshire homeowners have won their fight against builders who tried to claim a third of their gardens was not their own.

In May, contractors told the residents on Percy Thrower Avenue in Bomere Heath, they had 28 days to vacate the land.

The contractors were working for the Housing Plus Group, which agreed to put the action on hold so it could investigate, after the six raised the issue with them.

Now one resident, Alexandra Titley, has told the BBC the homeowners received a letter on Wednesday to say the threat had been dropped, explaining a "thorough investigation" had led to the U-turn.

Housing Plus Group said its investigation had included inquiries to the Land Registry.

'Maintain positive relationships'

Ms Titley said it was a relief, because it had "been an incredibly stressful time," but she would have liked an apology.

She said her advice to other companies was to "be sure of what you're saying", because the saga had caused the homeowners "untold stress" and "sleepless nights".

The letter sent to residents, which has been seen by the BBC, went on to say it was a priority for the company "to maintain positive relationships with the local community".

"We will continue to ensure that any future communications on development matters are handled sensitively and clearly," it added.

The Housing Plus Group told the BBC it had carried out a "full investigation".

It said it found "the boundary line has changed from the Land Registry records and that an area of Housing Plus Group-owned land has been encroached.

"However, we have decided to take no further action in relation to this matter."

It said it understood there had been a "period of uncertainty for the residents affected" and thanked them for their patience.

It also said: "We would like to apologise for the tone of the letter sent by our contractor J Harper and Sons of Leominster in May."

The company added it understood the wording may have been concerning and that it regretted any distress it may have caused.