A community garden was cleared by mistake by a contractor working for Lambeth Council last week.
The Wild Garden, on Somerleyton Road in Brixton, was destroyed by workmen who were supposed to be clearing away overgrown plants from the pavement on Tuesday (September 14). That includes an apple tree and a pear tree that were chopped down, according to volunteers.
“Everything we grew over the past three years is now gone,” a garden volunteer said in a video posted to social media.
A spokesperson for Lambeth Council said: “Unfortunately, the community garden in Southwark was cleared in error yesterday, September 14, by a contractor who had been asked to remove overgrown vegetation from the pavement outside Angela Davis depot.
“We share the frustration that the local community feel about the destruction of the plants, which had been cared for and maintained over a number of years. The community garden and others like it in the local area bring a welcome spot for people to rest and relax. We will now work with the community and landowners to agree plans to reinstate the garden.”
The contractors in question have also been contacted for comment.