Forest of Dean housing group loses grass-cutting appeal

Campaigners in the Forest of Dean have been told they do not have to pay extra for grass cutting outside their homes.

It is the second time the High Court in Bristol has ruled in their favour after the Two Rivers Housing association appealed against a decision in June.

The association said it was "disappointed" with the court ruling.

A three-year legal battle began after many tenants of the association refused to pay for the upkeep of lawns they said were not technically theirs.

In a statement, Two Rivers Housing said: "Without this service charge being paid by all householders, an average 60p per week, it is unlikely that we will be able to sustain the high level of maintenance our estates currently enjoy."

People living in several communities throughout the Forest of Dean had raised more than £15,000 through door-to-door collecting, BBQs, car boot sales and cream teas, to help fight their cause.

Carole Tilling, from Longhope Parish Council, said she believed the association would not pursue a further appeal.

"The judge has ruled twice in our favour and it has cost Two Rivers Housing an awful lot of money already," she said.

"It is not in our conveyances that we have to pay it and I don't think there is any way we should have to pay it."