Birmingham estate praised for telling residents when to hang out washing as some say 'thank goodness'

There's an estate in Birmingham which has been family-owned since 1717 where every homeowner is issued with a 32-page manual on how they are expected to maintain their house and garden. The Calthorpe Residents Handbook forbids artificial grass, frowns upon the keeping of noisy roosters and bans the hanging out of washing on Sundays.

When BirminghamLive shared details of the rules, readers were divided in their reaction. Some questioned why people should be told when they can hang their washing in their own backyard whereas many said they felt this was the reason 'why the Calthorpe Estate is so elegant and desirable.'

Mbic said: "Could do with bringing something like that where we live! Front gardens are disappearing, grass verges are being churned up by parked cars as well as buy to let properties and HMO’s" and Chris agreed: "Sounds like a good idea, wish more areas had them."

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Ivorro added: "Along Bristol Road there are some front garden walls that have been taken down and rubble left. Looks like a taxi parked up. Should come down hard on people not abiding by their rules. Thank goodness for The Calthorpe Estate. Should be all across the city. Parking on verges. Taking hedges down. How much space does a hedge take up? What is the footprint of a tree? Paving over everything should be banned. Looks horrible and bad for the environment."

The 640 hectare estate which stretches through Edgbaston and into Harborne and Quinton. People aren't allowed any visible bins and have to make an application if they wish to install a satellite dish.

Tricksy posted: "This is why the Calthorpe Estate is so elegant and desirable to observe when driving through there. Having these rules is reassuring for the residents, knowing that the area will remain the highest standards possible. Also, that decent people who live there can be guaranteed. Who would not want that? It’s always enjoyable driving through admiring the beautiful properties."

Margaret added: "They need this in many areas especially those classed as 'deprived'. What they mean is areas where residents have no pride in keeping their surroundings looking clean and tidy and leave rubbish everywhere."

Therealwaysbenengland added: "How many once nice areas have been ruined by people having driveways filled up with damaged repairable vehicles, tow trucks, building rubble left for years. It’s a shame councils don’t adopt the same rules."

Some, however, called it 'Tory Britain' and questioned the demand not to hang out washing on a Sunday. Maddie's said: "I don't think if I owned my own house I could be told when to hang out my own washing agree with rest fair play but washing please it's your own backyard."

The Highflyer added: "Erm I think not being allowed to put washing out to dry is a little OTT don’t you think!" and n8935f agreed: "I understand and agree with most of the rules, but why can't people put washing out on a Sunday?"