Uncollected bins leave stench at flats in heatwave

People living in a block of flats say they were unable to open their windows during recent heatwaves because of the stench coming from uncollected bins.

The rubbish was left in the storerooms in Weavers Court in Rochester for 12 weeks, causing an awful smell and attracting rats and foxes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

After the LDRS got in touch with Orbit, the housing group which manages the site, the bins were finally emptied on Monday.

However, problems with irregular collections have plagued the block since 2022, and the hot weather made the problem worse than ever, according to residents.

Zanna Negorodova has lived in a flat directly above the bin storage area for 16 years and said it had had an impact on her health.

She said: "It's very bad. Bad for my health, bad for breathing. I have asthma, for example.

"Our neighbours have kids, we're in the middle of a heatwave and they can't even open the window. It's very bad.

"Orbit says it's the council's fault. The council says it's Orbit's fault."

Colin Tandie, who has lived in Weavers Court for 10 years, said neither Orbit nor Medway Council was willing to take responsibility, and there had only been partial solutions.

He said: "The pile of rubbish has been as tall as me at some points.

"They keep sending out a private company just to clear the excess, but not the actual bins. It's a problem that's never going to end."

The smell has even affected residents living across the street.

Jules van Schalkwyk said the smell wafted over so they also had to keep their windows closed.

She said: "It's really unhygienic. We walk our dogs, and there is rubbish strewn all over the place because foxes drag it out and the street cleaner has to clear it up.

"But the smell really worries me because there are children living in this block and it's got to be a real hazard.

"I've spoken to Orbit and the council and they've bounced the ball between them, saying it's not their responsibility.

"It's gone on since 2022. Every now and then it just fills up and is not emptied.

"We had massive rats two years ago that must have come from there."

A Medway Council spokesperson said: "We understand the concerns raised by residents regarding the impact this is having on their quality of life, particularly during the recent period of hot weather."

However, they added that, as Weavers Court was privately managed, Orbit was responsible for the bin store and any excess waste.

"Since concerns were first raised, council officers have repeatedly highlighted the need for the bin store to be cleared, contaminated containers addressed, and measures put in place to prevent misuse of the bin store," said the council spokesperson.

The council would monitor the situation and work with the management company to help resolve the issue, they added.

A spokesperson for Orbit said they were aware the situation was "unacceptable" and "unpleasant and frustrating for those living nearby".

"We have previously arranged additional waste collections to help clear the area, but we recognise that this has not resolved the issue," they said.

"Once the area has been fully cleared we will carry out a deep clean of the bin store.

"We also take any reports of pest activity seriously."

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