My mum is in the process of writing her will and she has a large garden, about half an acre, that she doesn't want to see developed on. She's considering fencing it off and letting it grow wild after she passes. The concern lies in the fact that this garden borders a public alleyway and other private gardens. She's thinking of leaving the land in trust to me, but I'm worried about the implications. I live quite far away, so I won't be able to maintain it and I'm concerned about potential issues like invasive plants spreading, trees falling, or the risk of fly-tipping. Are there UK laws that I should be aware of? If maintaining the garden is problematic for me, should I just decline the inheritance?
3 Answers
From a gardening perspective, I’d be worried about the garden becoming overrun with invasive plants like brambles or buddleia. That could make it less appealing. Legally, there are some concerns about neighbours potentially claiming the land through adverse possession if you don’t manage it. Plus, you might have to deal with unwanted items being dumped there, which could lead to some expensive cleanup later on. Honestly, if the garden becomes a hassle, selling it might be a better route and using that money for something beneficial like supporting a wildlife trust could be a thoughtful alternative.
I think it’s a great idea to leave a bit of land wild for wildlife! While I can’t advise specifically on UK laws, maybe looking into insurance for the property would help? I know some policies can cover incidents like trees falling.
I’ve done a wild garden setup before! Even if you’re not familiar with the law, you can control what grows there. Start by finding native wildflower seeds for your area and plant them. A little watering in the beginning will help them get established, and once they bloom, they should outcompete most invasive plants. Plus, many wildflowers can reseed themselves, allowing for less maintenance in the future.