Residents' 'anger' as illegal waste dumps appear near homes

"Angry" residents have spoken out over mountains of dumped waste appearing near homes, with one of the spots described as an "environmental horror".

Inquiries are under way into two suspected illegal waste sites emerging in Worcestershire.

A photo of one of the scenes in Evesham appears to show masses of rubbish dumped in a large trench.

Further complaint centres on a farm in the village of Peopleton where estate agents have reportedly told residents not to sell their homes, as property prices were falling due to the issue.

With regard to the scene on Haselor Lane in Evesham, Wychavon District Council (WDC) said it was first made aware in October, adding it had identified "potential issues" at the site, and "waste crime" across the district.

The Environment Agency (EA) said the second site, on Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton, had seen "illegal waste-dumping activity".

Two residents of Peopleton, which has a population of 640, have spoken to the BBC on condition of anonymity.

One said: "There is a level of anger, and you can feel that on a daily basis."

The resident said: "I moved here six years ago from another village in the area and I moved because I didn't want my children growing up in the rat race.

"I wanted to give them a nice safe environment and to be able to look out their window and look out over green fields.

"You develop a sense of anger because you get to a point where we don't actually like living where we live."

The second resident added some people in the village - where the waste was described as an "environmental horror" - now felt "trapped".

"One of the villagers went to go to an estate agent and when they gave their postcode they were told to be realistic because there were doubts it would sell and they were also told they'd have to take a huge drop in price.

"They advised them not to sell at the moment."

Councillor Linda Robinson, who sits on Worcestershire County Council, and WDC for Peopleton and the surrounding area, described the village as a "very sleepy, rural" place "with a very proactive community".

She said they had a "very close knit community" who had endured "noise, disturbance and dust" for the last 18 months.

"I think many of them are at the end of their tether and would actually quite like to leave Peopleton and are actually now trapped," Ms Robinson said.

"The effect of this is lowering the value of their properties or making them impossible to sell, so it's an untenable position for them and something I would like to help them do something about."

An EA spokesperson told the BBC waste "scars our communities".

"[It] is something we're committed to tackling together with local councils and the police," they said.

"Together we're pulling every lever available to us to disrupt those who profit from the harm illegal waste sites cause."

WDC said that while its powers were limited, staff were working "proactively with partners", including the EA.

"We are currently following the required legal process and will take further enforcement action if necessary," the authority explained.

The MP for Droitwich and Evesham, Nigel Huddlestone, said he was "very concerned by the ongoing activities at Stone Arrow Farm".

"Having met local residents on several occasions about this matter, I know how damaging these activities are for the local community," he said.

"Since the problems first arose in autumn last year, I have been engaging with district and county councils, the Environment Agency, West Mercia Police and external stakeholders such as HMRC, the Health and Safety Executive and the DVSA.

"I have also raised written questions in parliament and attended last month's debate in the House of Commons on illegal waste activity.

"I remain absolutely committed to working with all stakeholders and to do whatever I can to help bring this situation to an end, for the benefit of my constituents."