Cath Attlee and Nancy Clarke are both suffering from what Damien Gayle calls ‘solastalgia’ after their gardens were torn apart by others
Oh how I recognised and felt what Damien Gayle described in his article (My neighbour tore down the hedge outside our window – and I learned what ‘solastalgia’ feels like, 23 September). Our house used to have four mature trees, including two lilac on one side and an apple tree and beautiful bushes on the other. The area where our gardens met was full of birds, insects and squirrels, and provided a great play area for our cats. Like Damien, we came back from holiday to find the trees cut down and bushes cleared.
A few weeks later, a similar slaughter happened on the other side. Discussion with the council confirmed that there is nothing we can do to prevent such destruction on privately owned land, unless it is a conservation area. This, despite the council’s commitment to improving our environment and air quality. While they plant trees in the street, absentee landlords cut them down in urban gardens. I weep!
Cath Attlee
London
* This article was originally published here
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