1 week Ago By [email protected] (Joe Harbert)
A furious council tenant has criticised the local authority over a mound of rubbish bags in the garden next door he claims is attracting vermin and foul odours to his home. John Powell, of Folkestone, says the black sacks and a mouldy mattress have been dumped on a lawn overrun with weeds and are making life a misery. The 42-year-old has accused Folkestone and Hythe District Council of failing to take action despite rodents and flies being drawn to the mess a few feet from his home.
“All we want to do is sit in the garden but it’s just disgusting,” he said. “During the last few weeks there have been more rats in the gardens either side [of the house]. “There’s a mouldy mattress out there too and when you open our bedroom window there are a lot of flies.
” Taxi driver Mr Powell says the situation has been ongoing in Taylor Road, Cheriton, for many years, generates an awful smell and is “driving him nuts”. The district council says it has ordered those responsible to clear up or “further action will be taken”. Having lived in the cul-de-sac for almost two decades, Mr Powell said: “For the last 10 years we’ve been in a disagreement with the council over our neighbours.
“It began with the weeds in our garden being overgrown which my family have had to get rid of – but it grew so much. “We’ve now found a dead rat in the garden and seen loads of rubbish sat there next door. “There’s a mouldy mattress out there too and when you open our bedroom window there’s a lot of flies - it’s just disgusting and there's about 30 bags of rubbish.
“Another neighbour has seen badgers, hedgehogs and foxes on their wildlife cameras." Mr Powell, who has a second job as a coal worker, says he has been in dispute with the district council for a decade. “It’s a continuing battle and I’ve had enough of it,” he said.
“It will be cleared bit by bit but then in a couple of months when it’s forgotten about it will happen again and look like a jungle. “If I miss a payment on my rent or council tax I’ll get a letter through the door saying I’m going to be taken to court. “[So] I feel like I’m the victim here when I’m the only one trying to get it sorted.
“We can't even do a council house exchange and move if we wanted to because nobody wants to live here." FHDC told KentOnline efforts are now being made to help Mr Powell with the situation. A spokesperson said last week: “We met Mr Powell last week to discuss the matter and have instructed his neighbour to clear the back garden, including the rubbish sacks, by a set deadline.
"Further action will be taken if this is not adhered to.” Mr Powell’s neighbours were approached for comment about the situation..
