Waste mountain still festering near Great Barr Hall three months on

Four tons of waste has been dumped on a lane near the once impressive 18th Century manor house, in Pheasey, which is now derelict.

The rubbish was dumped dumped before Christmas in the grounds of the derelict Great Barr Hall.

A smaller amount of rubbish was also dumped on the nearby Nether Hall housing estate, which was built on the old St Margaret's Psychiatric Hospital around 15 years ago and is owned by Bovis developers.

Dog walker Paul Maguire takes his Labrador Rosie on the fields nearby but has grown frustrated by the lack of action over the waste.

The 36-year-old said: "It's a nice place to go normally. But this all appeared in December and you actually can't get round anymore.

"I thought it would all be sorted quick as it was in the news but I went walking again over there and was really surprised to see it all still.

"I thought it should have all gone by now. It's not nice to look at, or be around."

Walsall Council bosses have said they are aware of the issue but that the removal of the waste falls upon the land owner.

Great Barr Hall, which was built in 1777 on the site of the old Netherhouse Farm, has been out of use since the 1970s despite various plans for its redevelopment being put forward.

It is understood that the perpetrators cut locks on the gates to access the land back in December before replacing them with new ones.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader at Walsall Council said this week: "Fly-tips of this nature are costly to remove and a blight on communities, the landscape and landowners.

"I recognise how distressing they are for local residents and that criminal investigations can be lengthy.

"As this tip is on private land, its removal will fall upon the land owner. The Environment Agency will continue to investigate and if requested Walsall Council will assist.

"We would also urge the public to please contact us with any information that can help us identify these criminals."

Plans to convert the Grade-II* listed site into a wedding venue with thrown out three years ago.