Replanting promise for weed-ridden square

A housing association has promised it will spruce up a village square it owns after councillors accused it of "unacceptable neglect".

The area in Marske-by-the-Sea, on Teesside, had previously been described as a "featureless nucleus" and Beyond Housing had commissioned an environmental charity to improve it.

The project aimed to "breathe new life into the space, creating an attractive and functional environment", but there are now complaints the flower beds have become weed-ridden and unsightly.

Beyond said it had agreed a programme of works to address the concerns, including a new planting scheme.

The company's application to make a range of improvements to the square was approved by Redcar and Cleveland Council in 2025, which described it as a "no brainer" and a "win-win".

The refurbishment aimed to make the area, which a council conservation officer had labelled a "featureless nucleus", into one more suited for hosting events.

But according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, St Germain's ward councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd said: "Normally it is the cash-strapped council that has a problem with weeds.

"But this year it is Beyond Housing and their unacceptable neglect who are to blame... it should take closer order of its own property."

Councillor Karen King said the area looked "unsightly".

She confirmed she, along with fellow Marske councillor Kendra Evans and a representative of Marske in Bloom, had met with Beyond, which had promised improvements.

A spokesman for Beyond said the beds would be weeded and replanted by the end of August and then maintained fortnightly, "to ensure they remain well presented".

"We are grateful to Marske in Bloom and all local community groups for the valuable contribution its volunteers make across the village, and to local councillors for continuing to work constructively with us, and share the priorities of residents and businesses," they said.

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