An overgrown plant at an HDB block along Woodlands Drive 14 has caught the attention of amused neighbours, while others have raised concerns about potential safety risks.<\/p>\n
When Stomp visited the HDB block at about 9am on June 12, a plant hanging off a second-floor unit was observed, with its vines nearly touching the ground.<\/p>\n
The balcony housed multiple pots of plants, some spilling over the ledge. Two neighbouring windows also had plants placed on their ledges, with some creeping upwards and others dangling over the side.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s not a problem\u2019: Neighbours unbothered<\/h2>\n
Nur, a neighbour who has lived in the area for over six years, told Stomp she had seen the plant since moving in and observed that the homeowner maintained it regularly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t bother me. If you want to grow your plants, then you grow lah,\u201d the 40-year-old said. \u201cI\u2019m ok with it, at least there\u2019s some greenery.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Nur added that the homeowners were \u201cnice people\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not a problematic person. He just loves plants,\u201d she said, adding that she saw no need to \u201cdisturb\u201d the neighbour over their plants.<\/p>\n
She felt that those who considered it an eyesore could simply avoid walking past it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes people are just being so petty over small little things. This is a small problem. In fact, it\u2019s not a problem,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n
A fifth-floor resident said she felt it \u201cdoesn\u2019t matter\u201d as the resident did not have downstairs neighbours, adding that she had not heard of any incidents involving the plant.<\/p>\n
However, she acknowledged that it might pose safety risks for younger children who might be tempted to climb it.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m scared when I see it\u2019: Other residents raise safety concerns<\/h2>\n
Other neighbours felt it could affect surrounding residents.<\/p>\n
Lai, a 57-year-old food delivery rider who has lived in a nearby block for more than 10 years, said he felt it was acceptable as long as it did not inconvenience or endanger others.<\/p>\n
He also raised concerns about mosquito breeding and the possibility of the vines obstructing pedestrians below.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing is whether the flower pot is secure, or if it will fall. Just make sure it doesn\u2019t affect surrounding neighbours,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
A resident who wished to remain anonymous said she felt it was dangerous to leave the plant in its current state.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m scared when I see it, I won\u2019t walk there. What if it falls?\u201d she asked in Mandarin, adding that \u201cplayful\u201d kids might tug on the vines.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not like it\u2019s a very nice-looking plant,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Ita, a 66-year-old resident in the area, described the plant as \u201cquite messy\u201d and said she was concerned it could attract rats, urging the homeowner to maintain it properly.<\/p>\n
Multiple potted plants outside flat<\/h2>\n
When Stomp visited the unit, multiple potted plants were seen outside the flat. There was no answer when reporters knocked on the door.<\/p>\n
Cleaners and a staff member from Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council (MYTTC) were seen setting up a ladder near the plant, but left with the equipment about 15 minutes later.<\/p>\n
According to the town council\u2019s by-laws,<\/a> residents are not allowed to place items on window sills or along corridors if they could endanger lives, cause injury, or damage property.<\/p>\n In response to Stomp\u2019s queries, a MYTTC spokesperson said that the town council is aware of the concerns regarding the overgrowing plants at the unit, urging stakeholders to ensure that personal projects are managed with the comfort, hygiene and safety of the community in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the meantime, our team will be pruning the overhanging vegetation that is of concern to ensure that the pathways are clear at accessible common areas,\u201d the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n A photo of the plant was also posted on the Home Gardening Singapore Facebook group,<\/a> where some netizens urged the homeowner to \u201ccut it off\u201d, calling it a \u201cpublic nuisance\u201d and an \u201cinconsiderate\u201d act.<\/p>\n Others felt there was nothing wrong, pointing out that it \u201cgives better air and good greens to look at\u201d.<\/p>\n Some, including the Facebook user who shared the post, compared the plant to the fairy-tale character Rapunzel, writing: \u201cRapunzel, Rapunzel! Let down ur hair.\u201d<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nTown council will prune overgrown plant<\/h2>\n
Netizens call plant a \u2018public nuisance\u2019, others unfazed<\/h2>\n
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