A FATHER-of-two who set out to improve a piece of waste ground in front of his home has accused the council of being "jobsworths" for ordering him to return it to its original state.
Keith Jarvis says he thought he was doing Hull City Council and his neighbours a favour by putting down some gravel.
But the long-distance lorry driver has received a letter from the local authority telling him that residents are not allowed to change the use of council- owned land.
Mr Jarvis, 57, who lives with his children Claire, 24, and Jack, 14, in Saxby Grove, east Hull, said: "I'm disgusted.
"It had become a dumping ground. I am trying to sell my house and I was worried it might put off potential buyers. It looked a mess.
"I spent a lot of time clearing up glass, papers, other litter and some weeds.
"I then spent £150 on gravel, which I put down on top to stop the weeds from growing back."
Another resident has recently placed a "water feature" on the gravel, according to Mr Jarvis.
Mr Jarvis says he took the council's letter to show his neighbours.
"I was so annoyed," he said. "I believe the council is just a bunch of jobsworths.
"My neighbours tell me it looks a hell of a lot better than it did before, so what's the problem? I am saving the council a job. It's stupid."
Mr Jarvis says he made enquiries to buy the land off the council 18 months ago, but was put off by the high costs involved.
"I was going to put my wheelie bins on it and perhaps extend my garden," he said. "But it would have cost me £2,000 with all the solicitor's fees, so I decided I wouldn't bother."
Mark McEgan, assistant city manager for housing at Hull City Council, said he appreciated Mr Jarvis's intentions were good, but asked people to appreciate that do-it-yourself efforts can prevent its maintenance team from performing its tasks.
He said: "Residents are unable to change the use of any council-owned land without permission.
"We acknowledge Mr Jarvis' intentions to improve the look of the immediate vicinity outside his home.
"However, the area is maintained on a regular basis and any litter found is removed. The gravel placed by Mr Jarvis now make it more difficult and time consuming; as a result we have now asked that the land is returned to its original condition."
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