The son of a homeowner in suburban Essex has infuriated neighbours after allegedly advertising a cottage garden as an illegal tip.
Around 6ft of rubbish has been piled in the front garden of the 120-year-old property in Upminster – and the trash has been set on fire on several occasions.
The tip, which includes mattresses, palettes, furniture and bags filled with rubbish, has been dumped on the doorstep of the semi-detached house.
The growing mounds of rubbish has completely filled the front garden of a home in Upminster, Essex, and aerial shots revealed the trash reaches as far as the back of the house
A huge 6ft pile of rubbish has been dumped in the front garden of a property in Upminster, Essex, over the past eight weeks
The 120-year-old property has allegedly been advertised by the homeowner’s son as an illegal tip and the pile has even begun spilling into the road
According to The Sun, residents have contacted local authorities, including the police and the local council, to try to get the waste removed but it remains there.
The son claims the rubbish built up after a family member had died and assured it would be cleared away.
To make matters worse, wind often blows bits of loose rubbish across their gardens and into the street.
The problem, residents say, has been going on for a staggering eight weeks while the homeowner allegedly torches the tip on a regular basis – causing flames as high as the house and hot enough to damage the building.
Neighbour Ken Lees, 76, who has been living in the row of 120-year-old cottages for more than 40 years, said: ‘Him and his father were doing it in a small way – picking up other people’s rubbish – which was a pain in the butt.
‘The father has died and he has no driving license, the dad used to drive so the thing he does is get his mates who do rubbish removal to drop the rubbish off and it’s got out of hand.
The illegal tip, which includes mattresses, palettes, furniture and bags filled with rubbish, has been dumped on the doorstep of the semi-detached house
The problem, residents say, has been going on for a staggering eight weeks while the homeowner allegedly torches the tip on a regular basis
‘He’s got a job now so they can’t around when he’s not there.
‘Yesterday I spent an hour out here cleaning up the rubbish because when the wind blows it spreads all over the road and the garden.
‘There’s rubbish all the way up Street. At some point we will have to pay for that to be cleaned up.
The retired fencing company owner added: ‘We had between six and 10 visits from the fire brigade to put out fires which were happening everyday at one point. Nobody seems to be doing anything about.
‘We have had fires so big that they are going up over the house where it’s so hot it’s damaged his wall.
‘They do it with impunity. It’s crazy, absolutely crazy.’
The fire brigade are said to have attended the property on several occasions due to fires being lit in the front garden.
Ward councillors have reported the matter to Havering Council and received the following reply: ‘The property came to the Council’s attention a few weeks ago, following receipt of complaints that the owner was burning large amounts of waste materials in the front garden.
The fire brigade are said to have attended the property on several occasions due to fires being lit in the front garden
‘On investigation, it was found that a relative of the owner of the property was advertising for waste to be dropped off at the address, for him to dispose of.
‘We know that the Fire Brigade (LFB) have visited on several occasions. Environment Enforcement Officers served a Community Protection Notice (Warning) and progressed to a Community Protection Notice.
‘Officers have been in regular contact with the Fire Brigade, Environment Agency and the individual concerned.
‘We have now been made aware that the owner of the property has sadly passed away and are now dealing with the Executor regarding the clearance of the waste as a priority.
‘In the meantime, unfortunately, the waste will remain on site and will be monitored by the Council’s Environment Enforcement Officers in conjunction with the LFB.’
Havering Council leader Damian White said the council went to the site this week and cleared the rubbish after it began spilling into the road.
The council and the homeowner were today unavailable for comment.