Walsall Council has removed nine tonnes of waste from Dalkeith Street after property owners failed to respond to a legal notice, the authority has claimed. The clear up costs from the street home to ‘Walsall’s biggest pile of dumped waste’ has cost taxpayers £15,000 since April 2022.
In November 2024, three Community Protection Notices were served on the Hollyhedge Lane property which was formerly home to A1 Furniture–a textiles and factory workshop. One of the notices was addressed to AL11 Properties Ltd and the other two are addressed to individuals both registered as directors for the company.
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Each of the notices ordered the removal of all accumulations of controlled waste, including white goods and waste that could harbour or attract vermin, waste which is potentially dangerous, and any waste having a detrimental effect on the visual appearance of the area. Those who ignore a Community Protection Notice can face prosecution and can be convicted of a criminal offence.
The rear of 70 Hollyhedge Lane from Dalkeith Street, pictured November 2024
(Image: Birchills Agenda 21 Group)
Walsall Council stated that the notice was not adhered to, which resulted in a large-scale cleanup operation on Tuesday, January 8, by the authority’s Street Cleansing team. Road closures were in place during the clear up and nine tonnes of waste were removed, filling five HIAB crane lorries.
Councillor Garry Perry, leader of Walsall Council, said: “The council has invested considerable resources to address the fly-tipping issues on Dalkeith Street. It is severely disappointing that such extreme measures were necessary, but we had to intervene after our legal notices were not satisfactorily adhered to.
Dalkeith Street, photo taken by Walsall Council in January 2025
“We intend to proceed with legal action which, if successful, will require those responsible to pay for the cleanup. I want this to serve as a stark reminder that fly-tippers will not get away with it and will be fined.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping in Walsall, and those who choose to blight our community will not go unpunished.”
Walsall Council offers a £500 reward for information on fly-tipping incidents that result in prosecution. Evidence can be sent to flytipping@walsall.gov.uk and may consist of photos, statements, or paperwork.