'Filthy rat-infested' rubbish mountain to stay for now ahead of appeal

Walsall Council confirmed the planning inspectorate will allow an appeal to be heard to determine the length of time needed to remove the fly-tipped rubbish pile – which is so big it can be seen on Google Earth – on Arrow Industrial Estate in Short Heath.

The authority had served an enforcement notice on February 25 which ordered the site to be cleared by the end of May. But an appeal was lodged with owners requesting more time to rectify the issue.

Residents living near the eyesore site now fear the pile of rubbish, including metal, furniture, children's toys and general waste, is having an effect on their health.

The massive mound of rubbish on an industrial estate has been described as a filthy, smelly and rat-infested eyesore by residents living nearby and includes metal, furniture, children’s toys and general waste.

The site has seen several fires over the years and, according to residents living on nearby Haley Street, the smell during the summer when the heat rises makes it unbearable to go outside or open windows.

Other issues identified by residents on the street have included a rising number of rats in their gardens, an increase in respiratory illnesses from people living nearest to the pile, and a risk of environmental issues as the pile is next to the Birmingham Old Main Line canal.

One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said her own respiratory problems had been exacerbated over time by the rubbish pile and said it had just got bigger and bigger over time.

She said: “I have respiratory problems, which my consultants have said could have been made worse over the last few years.

“We don’t know who owns the site and we were never informed that it was going to be a recycling plant, so we saw the mobile units, which were stacked about four high and we complained about that because it was just creating a mess.

“We thought they were moving off the site, but then all this came and it’s just got bigger and bigger and the various fires over the years have not helped, particularly the bad one a few years ago as we couldn’t open our windows because of the thick smoke.”

The woman said she and her husband had spoken to councillors in the area and were waiting for someone to take responsibility for the site as she was unhappy to live near such an ugly site.

She said: “We’ve been told that this was going to be reduced dramatically over time, but all they seem to have done is move bits further down the site and not clear anything. I want it cleared as I’m really unhappy about having visitors coming up here and seeing that ugly eyesore. We’ve lived here for 40 years and it’s always been lovely, but that is just an awful site.”

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said neighbours had been asking for help for a long time, but with little success.

She said: “We’ve been speaking to councillors and the MP Eddie Hughes to try and get this sorted out, but although they are doing what they can, not a lot is happening.

“We’ve had to get used to it, but it’s just an eyesore that produces really nasty smells in the summer when the sun hits it, produces lots of rats and has given a lot of people respiratory illnesses on this street.

“We want it gone as it’s not just ugly and smelly, it’s also dangerous as it could lead to pollution in the canal.”