A council has sparked outrage by turfing over a prominent flower bed in one of Kent's most photographed spots.

The large plot, which sits between the River Stour and Tower House in Canterbury's Westgate Gardens, was regularly planted with a range of bright flowers, attracting pollinators and enhancing the popular green space.

But it was turfed over by Canterbury City Council earlier this month, prompting concerns from The Canterbury Society, which fears the move could be a sign the council is cutting back on park maintenance.

The Society added that other flower beds in Westgate Gardens, along with those in the Dane John Gardens and Lady Wootten’s Green, have not been planted with spring flowers this year.

It warns this is a critical time for Canterbury, as it prepares to welcome tourists and visitors back to the city centre in coming weeks.

Canterbury Society chairman Prof Richard Scase said: “It is a shock to see the flower bed disappearing before our eyes.

“We are very concerned that the other beds will be given the same treatment.

“A combined effort by volunteer groups could raise enough money to have planted these beds if we had known about it. And if beds were planted with wildflower seed, at least, that would be far cheaper than turfing it over.”

The authority has now agreed to remove the turf, following a request from The Canterbury Society.

A spokesman for the authority said: “The turfing over was premature on our part and we understand why this has caused some disappointment locally.

“We are more than happy to work with local groups such as the Canterbury Society, Canterbury Business Improvement District and the Friends of Westgate Parks to ensure this bed is planted up so that the park continues to be a place residents can be proud of.

"We have already begun discussions to move this forward and the turf that was laid will be removed and used elsewhere to ensure it does not go to waste."

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