For decades, Joyce Whitmee-Smith has lovingly tended her garden and got it into such a fine state she could declare it one to best-kept in the town.
But since builders started work on one of Norfolk's biggest new housing estates opposite, the site has become increasingly overrun by weeds and is now an 'ocean' of the unwanted plants.
The 82-year-old believes the poor state of her garden is a direct result of the major construction project, which has thrown up dust she blames for spreading weeds.
She has become embroiled in a furious row with the housebuilding firm behind the 350-home scheme and has even tried to enlist the help of her local MP to persuade the company to de-weed her garden.
The firm, however, say they have not been able to establish their work is responsible for the issue.
Mrs Whitmee-Smith, a retired wages clerk, moved to the property, on Norwich Road, Attleborough, with her late husband, Victor, 32 years ago.
She said she had never had such a problem with weeds until contractors started work on the neighbouring site, where 350 new homes are due to be built over the next four years on what was previously farmland.
“When Hill contractors started work on the field opposite my home, they created dust storms and everywhere that dust landed weeds have sprung up.
“Is this a coincidence? I don't think so," she said.
"When we moved here, this was a newly built house and we tended to the garden from day one."
After she first raised complaints, the developer, Hill, sent someone to investigate.
“Hill sent a landscape gardener to view these weeds twice, and twice he told me the only solution would be to totally dig out all flower beds, re-turf all lawns, and to start all three decades’ worth of work again.
“I have complained to them, but their answer is that it is not their fault, and that cross contamination could have happened when the field was cut. But it’s never been cut as it was previously used for grazing cattle.
“They also cut down the ancient hedgerow and it has caused the same problem I’m having in my garden, down the entirety of Norwich Road."
Mrs Whitmee-Smith said she had been “offered no solution” as to how she can fix her garden.
She is currently only able to tend to it for 10 minutes at a time with a rest of 20 minutes as she is recovering from extensive cancer treatment.
“I have also emailed MP George Freeman, in hopes something can be done to help get my garden restored to its former state.
“This has all been very, very distressing and it’s very disheartening. I want them to come and put straight all the problems they have caused.”
READ MORE: More details on 350-home proposal revealed
In a letter to Mrs Whitmee-Smith from Mr Freeman, the MP for Mid Norfolk, he said: “I do not have the power to directly intervene in, and resolve, them.
“That being said, in my role, I always strive to do what I can to try and ensure my constituents’ voices are being heard – and to see what more assistance they might be able to receive.”
He has offered to raise the issue on her behalf with both local district councillors and the local mayor of Attleborough.
Once completed, the new housing development will also include new green space, walking routes, trees, a pond and play areas.
A spokesperson from the Hill Group said: “After engaging a third-party landscaper to investigate, we have not been able to establish a clear connection between our works and the clover issue. We are actively communicating with the resident and working with them to find a satisfactory resolution.”
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