FOLLOWING complaints regarding overflowing dog poo bins near a children’s play area, these bins have now been removed.
Earlier this year, a group of residents of Snowdon Grange, off Forton Road, Chard, raised concerns about the “strong smell” and “eyesore” brought on by dog bins, which were allegedly not emptied for multiple weeks.
The bins were so full that people resorted to piling up their dogs’ waste on the ground in front of them, which a resident described as “disgusting” and hazardous for children.
This problem was recurring with residents claiming that every time the bins were emptied, they would end up overflowing again a few weeks later.
One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said at the time: "There is a health hazard in Chard which is escalating because the problem is being passed from one place to another and no one will take responsibility for it. Meanwhile, everyone's health who uses the public area is at risk.
“I live on Snowdon Grange, where for months now the dog poo bins have not been emptied until they are overflowing. The bins are in the same area as the children's play area."
She added: “It’s a horrible situation. It’s just disgusting, really.”
Following this, Tilia Homes wrote to residents and arranged for collections to be increased to “reflect the growing community”.
Yet, despite this, in October, the residents claimed they were “back to square one” after the bins had allegedly not emptied again for about three weeks.
The Chard resident added: “These people, LHS management, are a waste of time. They have not thought about children’s health, allowing this to happen again.
“Everyone is so frustrated with this, and we have nowhere to turn.”
Following the repeated complaints, which continued up until the beginning of December, the bins were removed by Tilia Homes on Monday, December 8.
Despite the bins being removed, the problem still has not been solved; however, with residents still leaving their dog waste in a pile in front of the pole where the bin used to be.
The resident said: “I like to say it is over with the removal of the bins, but, sadly, it’s not, as some mindless persons have decided they will deposit their dog waste in bags by the post that used to have the bin on it. We are all disgusted and appalled by this action. Where is the sense in it?”
In response to this, Tilia Homes has issued a statement reminding residents that leaving waste in public areas contributes to littering.
A spokesperson for Tilia Homes said: “Earlier this year, we wrote to residents at Snowdon Grange following reports of overflowing dog waste bins and arranged for collections to be increased to reflect the growing community.
“Further to this, the estate’s management company consulted residents on the future of the bins. The majority of those who responded preferred that the bins in the public open space were removed, and this was carried out following a final collection.
“We would like to remind residents that leaving waste in public areas contributes to littering, and everyone has a role to play in keeping the community clean and tidy. Bagged dog waste can be disposed of safely in residents’ household refuse bins, in line with local council guidance.”
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