Council clears 14 truckloads of rubbish from Chippenham garden
The authority acted after requests to clear the garden went unheeded
Wiltshire Council has been forced to step in to clear a neglected house garden in Chippenham.
Both front and rear gardens of the Eastern Avenue property were full of rubbish and overgrown plants, leading to complaints from neighbours.
Last September, the council issued a Section 215 enforcement notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, requiring the landowner to improve and clear the garden within 30 days.
But this went without action, despite repeated efforts to engage with the landowner.
The council decided to act, using it powers to clear garden, with the costs to be recovered from the landowner.
14 truckloads of rubbish were taken away, including:
- 12 broken bicycles
- 250 damaged plant pots
- 58 partially used paint cans
- 4 sheets of asbestos
- 2 tents
- 2 fridges
- 5 doors
- 4 window frames
- Numerous items of scaffolding and construction materials
Cllr Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, said: "We don't expect for every home to have a show garden, but in this instance the property was severely overgrown, untidy and unsightly, which ultimately affects the look and character of the surrounding area and impacts the community.
"We tried repeatedly to negotiate with the owner to resolve the situation, but when these were ignored, we were forced to take this action and charge the clearance costs to the landowner. Enforcement is always a last resort, but we will not hesitate to act when properties fall into serious neglect and impact the wider neighbourhood.
"I'd like to thank our officers and contractors for their professional and safe handling of the clearance, including the responsible disposal of hazardous materials such as asbestos."