Two allotment owners have been stung with an eviction notice unless they remove their beehives.
Helen Ransome and Zoe Shelley had caused a buzz on their picturesque Southampton plot after re-introducing 200,000 pollinators to the area without permission.
The pair revealed that before their intervention, pollination on the allotment was so bad gardeners resorted to cross-pollinating plants with paintbrushes last year.
Ransome, 55, and Shelley, 62, warned it would be a “travesty” for the plot and its plants if threats to re-home their bees are carried out.
The pair has been told to remove the hives from the site (file pic)
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Southampton City Council has been accused of hypocrisy as its website states the need for pollinators such as butterflies, moths, bees and beetles. Stained glass artist Ransome said: “We decided to replace the bees that were lost because pollination is so bad. We took them thinking it would be good for Southampton, we need pollinators.”
Gardener Shelley, said: “We immediately apologised and are seeking retrospective permission. We thought it would be a nice gift to the city as we need pollinators. We are in the midst of a bee crisis globally and they’re beneficial to the environment.”
The pair received an email from the council in June, telling them to remove the hives by early July. They responded saying this was not long enough to safely move the hives, due to the weight of the honey the bees have produced.
Ransome was eventually granted an extension of mid-August to remove them however expressed her sadness adding: “The council are asking people not to cut their lawn to attract pollinators but then telling us to move them. They would need to be moved two miles away – otherwise they fly back to the site – so they’ll have to move out of the city.”
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The pair said the bees are used for pollination as opposed to making honey and are managed by professional beekeeper Austin Thompson.
A council spokesman said: “We are working with the tenant to support the removal of the beehives as they were moved to the allotment site without consultation with the council, contrary to allotment rules.
“Southampton City Council recognises the immense value of bees to people and the planet and will work with allotment tenants to support beekeeping wherever possible.’
They added: “We encourage those who are considering keeping bees to discuss this with the allotments team as early as possible.”
It comes as Britain has been left at a “tipping point” after an invasive species of hornet survived a winter on UK shores for the very first time, leaving British bees at risk.
According to new research, the invasive Asian hornet, which survives by preying on other insects, managed to weather the cold and breed in Southern England.
Beekeepers have voiced concerns they may be left out of work if their pollinators are eaten, arguing that the Defra-overseen National Bee Unit, which has been given the job of eradicating the hornets, is overstretched and underfunded.