AN ARDROSSAN resident has hit out at council plans to rip up his pride and joy garden and chip it over to cut down on maintenance work.

John Clark has lived in his flat in Kilmahew Street for more than two decades, and for the last five years he has taken on the task of tidying up and looking after the outdoor space at the back of his block.

Having dedicated “a lot of time and money” towards landscaping and maintaining the property, he now claims that North Ayrshire Council is considering splitting up the garden - which covers five separate flats within the block - and chipping it over.

“I suffer from anxiety and depression,” John told the Herald, “and have found that the garden, maintenance and growing my fruit and vegetables helps me deal with this.

“It was especially helpful for me during 2020/21 when I was furloughed from my work with the recent pandemic.

READ MORE: Ayrshire property of the week: Stunning Georgian country house with fantastic facilities in Craigie area

“On one hand, you have the council complaining that tenants don’t maintain their gardens, and yet they now have a tenant that is not only maintaining the garden for themselves but also for the benefits of their neighbours.

“And on the other hand, you have them also complaining that tenants don’t maintain their gardens, and they need to spend money making the areas maintenance free.”

North Ayrshire Council said it would take time to consider options before progressing with any potential work.

A council spokesperson said: “While we are sympathetic to the work put in by the resident, we also have to respect the wishes of all our residents.

“Therefore, we will be speaking to all affected tenants to find a solution that suits everybody and can confirm that no work will be carried out in the meantime.”