Residents call for action over fly-tipping and vermin at demolished Livingston business park
Locals concerned about mess left at West Lothian business park
People living next to a demolished business park in West Lothian have called for action after the site became a hotspot for fly-tipping and groups of Travellers in recent months.
Large piles of rubbish, including a burnt-out caravan, have been left at the site of the former Kirkton Business Centre on Charlesfield Lane, Livingston.
Locals said the issue has escalated since the business centre was demolished in March to make way for a planned Dundas housing development.
Resident Jillian Hailstones, who is angry with landowners County Properties (Northern) Limited for not securing the site, described the mess left there by Travellers and fly-tippers.
She said: “They didn’t leave the site secure, but to be fair they didn’t know we have had issues with Travellers year on year.
“I have no issues with Travellers being there, it’s the mess they leave behind. We have had two lots of illegal encampments this year. There was human excrement, underwear, it was absolutely disgusting.
“My neighbours and I went and cleaned it up. And then we had problems with youngsters in the burnt out caravan the Travellers left behind.
“The last lot of Travellers was at the end of July, when it became fly-tipping central. It’s always been a problem, but since the demolition it’s just unbearable living next to that site.”
Jillian is concerned about the health risk of so much rubbish at the site, and expressed her frustrations at failed attempts by the local community to address the issue.
She said: “It’s a health risk, people have been dumping black bags of rubbish there, with loads of garden waste there also. It’s basically lots of general fly-tipping as well as the mess left behind by Travellers.
“We have tried everyone we can think of to sort this. The council wont get involved as it’s on private land, the police wont help, and we can’t get a hold of the land owners. We spoke to the company that demolished the site who were helpful, and told us they would secure the site, which hasn’t happened yet.
“It’s much worse since the demolition, and the litter is just blowing everywhere. We just want the council to approve the Dundas housing planned for the site so this won’t be an issue anymore.
“It’s the vermin it’s attracting to the area. We have had a stoat in our garden, and you see rats a lot.
“I phoned the council again this morning and they said they will send someone out, but I’m not holding my breath.”
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We have a great deal of sympathy for the local residents affected. We were aware of previous encampments and our officers had contacted the landowner at the time of the encampments to make them aware. It is the responsibility of the landowner to remove fly-tipping from their property and land.
“In terms of the mess, we will have our enforcement team contact the landowner to offer some support. Hopefully this may make some difference.
“The council’s Pest Control team can also provide a service and we would encourage local residents to contact them.”
Landowner County Properties could not be reached for comment.