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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 13 July 2007

Jillian White

FLOWER BAN 'JUST POTTY'

Tenant ordered to remove plants amid safety fears

A GREEN-fingered tenant has been told to remove a colourful array of indoor plants from her block of flats because they are health and safety hazard.
Jillian White, 52, placed dozens of potted plants – including six foot tropical palms and succulents – along corridors and on stairs in an effort to brighten up her block of flats, Ada Court, in Packington Street.
But instead of Southern Housing Association being pleased with her green-fingered handiwork – as most residents are – she’s been ordered to remove them by the health and safety brigade, as they are a “potential fire risk and a safety hazard.”
Domestic cleaner Ms White has been providing tropical and indigenous plants, paid for and nurtured by herself, for the inside and outside of her flats for 11 years.
“I don’t have a garden so I like to have potted plants around me,” she said. “They cheer me and almost every other tenant, apparently.”
She added: “In the past I’ve even given plants to members of the housing association staff.
“But suddenly I’m told they are a hazard and I must remove them as soon as possible. It’s crazy – when my home was flooded recently no one took any notice. But here I am trying to brighten my home with a bit of greenery and I’m told to take them down.”
Horticulturalist Gareth Morgan at Culpeper Gardens at the Angel was astonished by rule. He added: “Plants are mainly water and don’t catch fire. Otherwise people wouldn’t have them in offices and homes.”
She has support from her local vicar Rev Evan Jones at nearby St James church. “I can’t believe it,” he said.
“Jillian spends a great deal of time looking after these pots. I’ve never heard of inflammable plants – I think that’s total nonsense.
“She even looks after our plants outside St James hall. They’re very colourful and they brighten a fairly gloomy landscape.”
Islington council’s Deputy leader Lib Dem Cllr Lucy watt said she had a lot of sympathy for Ms White.
“We encourage everyone to brighten up their surroundings, including balconies, windows and gardens, with our Islington in Bloom competitions.
“I can’t comment on this case but I shall want to know why she is being ordered to remove her plants.”
But a member of the housing team at Southern Housing Association said the no plant rule had been operating for about a year.
“There’s a ban on plants and mats in communal hallways because they are a fire and health and safety hazard,” she said.
Was she aware that plants were primarily water and did not normally ignite? Couldn’t Ms White have one potted plant outside her front door?
“I don’t make the rules but everyone has to abide by them.”

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