If you see any spaces you consider to be a ‘Bronze’ standard, please report these to your Neighbourhood Management Officer.
Grass areas
What you can expect: regularly cut, all cutting swept from hard surfaces, associated shrubs well maintained.
| Standard | Standard description |
| Gold | Grass areas are well maintained, recently cut and presented to a high standard. Grass is healthy, with minimal weed growth, and all edges are neatly defined. Grass has been cut back to its original line and does not encroach onto pathways, flower beds, shrub borders or other communal areas. |
| Silver | Grass areas are generally maintained but show signs that routine grounds maintenance is overdue. Grass may be longer than expected, with some weed growth and minor encroachment onto pathways, flower beds or shrub borders. The overall appearance remains acceptable but requires attention to restore the expected standard. |
| Bronze | Grass areas are poorly maintained, with excessive grass growth, significant weed infestation and widespread encroachment onto pathways, flower beds and other communal areas. There is little or no evidence of recent grounds maintenance, and the overall appearance is untidy and below the expected standard. |
Weed clearance
What you can expect: area free of weeds.
| Standard | Standard description |
| Gold | The area is free from visible weeds, with planted beds, pathways, hardstanding areas and boundaries maintained to a high standard. Any previous weed growth has been effectively treated and removed, leaving the area clean, tidy and well presented. There is clear evidence of a proactive and regular weed control programme. |
| Silver | There are noticeable weeds present in some areas, and evidence of previous weed treatment may be visible. Some dead weeds may remain in situ or weed growth may indicate that routine maintenance is overdue. The overall standard remains acceptable but requires attention to restore the expected level of presentation. |
| Bronze | There is extensive weed growth across the area, including well-established and newly emerging weeds. Weeds may be encroaching onto pathways, roads, parking areas, planted beds and communal spaces. There is little or no evidence of recent weed control measures, and any previous treatment appears to have been ineffective or incomplete. |
Shrub beds and hedge maintenance
What you can expect: free from leaves, litter and weeds. Chippings/ mulch kept within beds, not overgrown or obstructing paths.
| Standard | Standard description |
| Gold | Shrub beds, planted areas and hedges are well maintained, healthy and visually attractive. Shrubs and hedges have been pruned with no evidence of overgrowth. Footpaths, grassed areas, parking bays and seating areas are unobstructed, and planting is contained within its designated area. |
| Silver | Shrub beds and hedges are generally well maintained but show signs that routine maintenance is becoming due. There may be some new growth, light overgrowth or isolated areas requiring pruning; however, pathways, grassed areas, parking bays and seating areas remain largely unobstructed. The overall standard remains acceptable but would benefit from attention. |
| Bronze | Shrub beds and hedges are poorly maintained, with significant overgrowth, dead vegetation or evidence that routine maintenance has not been carried out for an extended period. Vegetation may be obstructing footpaths, grassed areas, parking bays, lighting, signage or seating areas. The condition detracts from the appearance of the estate and may present health and safety, accessibility or security concerns. |
Trees
What you can expect: overgrown shoots and saplings cut back and hanging branches removed.
| Standard | Standard description |
| Gold | Trees are healthy, well maintained and structurally sound, with a balanced canopy and good foliage cover. There is no significant lean, deadwood, disease or damage evident. Trees do not obstruct footpaths, roads, parking areas, lighting or residents' windows, and there is no indication that they present a safety risk. |
| Silver | Trees are generally healthy and safe but may show minor signs of stress, deadwood, structural weakness or limited disease. Some branches may be beginning to encroach on footpaths, parking areas, lighting or residents' windows, but do not currently present a significant risk. Routine maintenance or arboriculture attention may be required to prevent further deterioration. |
| Bronze | Trees are in a poor condition, displaying significant lean, substantial deadwood, structural defects, disease or damage. Branches may be obstructing footpaths, roads, parking areas, lighting or residents' windows, or creating a risk to residents, vehicles or property. The condition of the tree indicates that maintenance is overdue and urgent inspection or remedial action is required. |