A DISTRICT councillor has hit out at the Community Housing Group for failing to maintain and clear up land it owns in Broadwaters.

Labour councillor Steven Walker complained to the Community Housing Group about flytipping, litter and overgrown land near to Springfield Park.

Cllr Walker said the Community Housing Group were not setting a good example to its tennants and had a duty to maintain the land. He said it is has been a continuous problem for five years.

A spokesman for the Community Housing Group said they had received a report of flytipping on land managed by them at the rear of Usmere Road, adjacent to Springfield Park, and that work to begin removing the rubbish had begun on Friday (April 28).

Cllr Walker said: "They have a statutory duty to maintain these areas and they are not doing it.

"They are not showing any accountability. There is old sheds etc smashed up and brick.

"They have just washed their hands of it now for five years.

"They are blaming tennants for throwing rubbish out of their houses and over their fences at the back of their homes and maybe threatening them with eviction - it may not be them. They are not exactly setting an example."

A spokesman from the Community Housing Group said: "Following a site visit, we have arranged for the rubbish to be removed by an approved waste contractor. The land is on a steep bank, requiring specialist equipment to clear the area safely.

"The rubbish has accumulated as a result of flytipping and our initial investigations indicate that this may be from residents living in the area.

"We will be contacting residents to remind them of their responsibilities when disposing of rubbish and give them information about the ways in which they can get rid of items which will not be collected as part of the normal refuse collection.

"We are extremely disappointed that this matter has occurred again.

"Several years ago, we worked in partnership with the Friends of Springfield Park and the police to try and tackle this anti-social behaviour.

"We will continue to maintain the area with a programme appropriate for wooded and natural areas but would appeal to residents to take care of their local community by disposing of rubbish correctly or reporting incidents they have witness so that more formal action can be taken against the perpetrators by the relevant authorities.

"Flytipping is a serious criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £50,000 or even imprisonment."

For more information about flytipping and ways to dispose of rubbish correctly , contact Wyre Forest District Council on 01562 732528 or visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk.