A council investigation is underway after rubble, debris and building materials appear to have been dumped on land in Great Lever.
Residents of Crescent Road have shared their upset over the ‘eyesore’, which has begun to spill over the land’s boundary onto the Beehive Pond land.
Shaun Bygraves, who lives on the other side of the pond, said he and his wife no longer fully opened their blinds as they are so sick of seeing the dumped rubbish.
After moving to their house in 2021, the couple were enchanted by the ‘wonderful wildlife’ and animals they could see around the pond.
However, as the leaves started to fall off the trees, they were soon faced with what they say is an ‘eyesore’ – with rubble, debris and building materials strewn across the land opposite.
They now refuse to open their blinds all the way, so they do not have to see the rubbish.
The 39-year-old said: “It really, really disheartened us. We’ve been getting in contact with the council, land developers, and environmental agencies to try and find out who’s responsible for the rubbish over there.
“We’re the only ones that look over onto the water, and unfortunately we can’t open our blinds to look out and enjoy the view due to the sheer scale of rubbish we have to look at each and every day.”
Shaun said the couple is now thinking of moving away.
He added: “It’s such a sad thing to think about, we love living here – we’ve got great neighbours and a great community around here, but it’s just this view and our mental health really, just looking at this every day.”
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Shaun and his wife aren’t the only residents unhappy with the situation. Born-and-bred in Great Lever, 78-year-old Peter Brabin is fed up with what he says is inaction ever since he originally complained to the council about the situation last year.
He said: “Since they did this new estate they did this pond again, and they did a really nice job on it, and then this has happened.
“Where it’s encroached it’s gone down, and all this waste is running down this pond. It’s disgusting, it’s absolutely disgusting. The council’s letting them get away with it.”
He added: “I’m onto them constantly about it.”
In an attempt to find a solution, a council planning enforcement officer, a man representing the landowner, and a man representing Sigma Capital, who own the Beehive Pond site, met by the dumped rubbish on Wednesday, April 17.
The man representing the landowner refused to give his name to The Bolton News or to answer any questions.
When Mr Brabin asked if he had a licence to ‘dump waste’, he said: “I don’t need to answer your questions, mate. You’re nobody to me, you’ve got no authority to ask me questions.”
The Bolton News has asked Bolton Council for more details about the landowner, but so far detail has not been forthcoming.
According to Land Registry documents obtained by The Bolton News, the freehold of the property, 325 Crescent Road, is held by Fairhold (Huddersfield) Limited.
The property has two leaseholds attached, one by a Lal Begum – who purchased the property in February 2006 for £112,500, and another by real estate company Tapestart Limited.
@theboltonnews A council investigation is underway after rubble, debris and building materials appear to have been dumped on land in Great Lever. Residents of Crescent Road have shared their upset over the ‘eyesore’, which has begun to spill over the land’s boundary onto the Beehive Pond land. Shaun Bygraves, who lives on the other side of the pond, said he and his wife no longer fully opened their blinds as they are so sick of seeing the dumped rubbish - and now they might move away. For more, see The Bolton News website.
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Fairhold (Huddersfield) Limited and Tapestart Limited were contacted for comment.
A solicitor acting for Tapestart said: “Tapestart Limited does own a leasehold interest in 325 Crescent Road (HM Land Registry title number GM602797) but you will have noted that its interest is subject to the lease of 999 years less 10 days from 1 November 1925 (HM Land Registry title number MAN40569).
“My client will not be in possession of the property, all being well, until late December 2924.”
Representatives for Sigma Capital, which manages the Beehive Pond site, also did not respond to comment.
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A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “A planning enforcement officer visited the site in November 2023 after receiving a complaint about untidy land at 325 Crescent Road.
“Rubble, debris and other building materials were found to the front, side and rear of the property.
“It was also noted that materials had spilled onto the adjacent site as the boundary fence had been removed.
“A letter was sent to the property requesting the materials to be removed and the boundary reinstated.
“Due to the property being rented, the owner did not receive the letter, hence the delay in any response or action.
“In January, the owner confirmed they would remove the waste. However, from monitoring the site, it would appear only some materials have been removed.
“Further investigations are being made by the planning enforcement team.”
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.
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