To officials, it is "rewilding". But to neighbours, it is mess, which has spoiled their once tidy estate.

Families living on St Peter's Road, in Fakenham, are complaining about the state of the communal area near their homes, which they say has been left to become overgrown and scruffy.

Flagship Group, which manages the properties, told residents it planned to "rewild" the green spaces by reducing the number of times it cut the grass.

The hope was that this would allow wild flowers to grow there and for wildlife to thrive.

That is not how it has turned out, say locals, who are angry at its unkempt state.

Efforts to rewild the green spaces on St Peter's Road began last year.Efforts to rewild the green spaces on St Peter's Road began last year. (Image: Newsquest)

One claimed the only wildlife there was ticks, which had infected his cat.

Parents on the estate say they their children can no longer play on the grass, because it is so long.

Gary Thorpe, a watchman for Fakenham's fire station, said: "The biggest issue is there is a monthly rate paid to maintain the area and we're seeing very little value from it."

Mr and Mrs Hall, who have lived on the estate for 50 years, said: "It used to be so beautiful here but now they've gone and ruined it."

A dozen residents recently met with Flagship officials to raise their concerns.

Also present was Christopher Cushing, the area's North Norfolk district councillor, who said the green areas looked "a right mess".

People living in the area met with estate management and councillor Christopher Cushing, who helped arrange the meeting.People living in the area met with estate management and councillor Christopher Cushing, who helped arrange the meeting. (Image: Newsquest)

Daniel Salliss, biodiversity and land manager for Flagship, defended the scheme.

"Wild life across the UK has dropped dramatically and we're one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world now. So these areas are actually really valuable," he said. 

He added: “We understand not everyone is used to the way the grass looks.

"We’ll do our best to address any concerns, balanced with our goal of improving biodiversity.

“We’ll continue to work with the community to understand their needs and reshape the area to best suit them.”