Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A housing estate has become a "dumping ground" over Christmas with piles of rubbish left strewn in the streets, according to the people who live there.

They say dozens of rubbish bags, rotting food and cardboard have been left on the streets of Wildmill in Bridgend over the festive period.

One resident who lives on Maes-y-Felin said she felt like she was “living on a landfill site" because so much waste has been dumped outside her home.

The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “I keep my curtains closed because it's all I see. It's like we're living on a landfill site.

"It's horrible to look at and it starts to smell."

(Image: Peter Bolter) (Image: Peter Bolter)

But the mum, who lives with her partner and daughter, claimed that while the amount of rubbish being dumped had increased over Christmas, it had been an ongoing problem for the residents who live there.

“It’s been this way for about 18 months since the new two-bag scheme was introduced," she said.

Bridgend council imposed a two bag-per-fortnight limit on most households in June 2017.

“We’re allowed to put out two bags of rubbish every two weeks and there are communal recycling bins, but it's not enough. Anything more than two bags of rubbish or recycling that won’t fit in the bins isn’t taken away."

The resident claimed the estate has also become a hot-spot for fly-tipping.

She said: "People are coming here to fly-tip. I’ve seen people pull up in vans and cars, empty their rubbish and drive off again. It’s continuous.

"We're sick of it. There's always bags of rubbish everywhere and recycling left next to the bins because they're full.

"Residents try their best to pick it up and bag it up to make it look tidy, but it's just ongoing."

(Image: Peter Bolter)

Private waste company Kier, which collects the rubbish and recycling on behalf of Bridgend council, said it was working with the local authority and Valleys to Coast Housing to encourage recycling and reduce fly-tipping on the estate.

But Bridgend town councillor Steve Bletsoe, who grew up in Wildmill, said some residents feel like "they're living like second-class citizens".

He said: "The biggest issue is that there aren't enough bins for recycling and residents are only allowed to put out two bags of rubbish every two weeks.

"There are about 1,000 houses on the estate and I know it sounds like a lot, but they probably need about four times as many bins.

"It's collected weekly, but as soon as it's taken away the bins are full again.

"There aren't any consequences for those who fly-tip and leave rubbish on the streets. If Kier wants to tackle the problem they need to enforce their policies and target those who are fly-tipping.

"Residents I've spoken to have said they see people coming and fly-tipping in the estate and I've seen it myself. It's just turned into a dumping ground. It wasn't like this when I was growing up and it's hard to see it happen. I'm a part of that community and I care about the people.

"It's demoralising for the people who live there. I've spoken to residents who say they feel like they're living like second-class citizens."

A large pile of rubbish off Maes-y-Felin was set alight on New Year's Eve. Firefighters put out the flames before the burnt rubbish was moved by Valleys to Coast Housing on January 3.

(Image: Peter Bolter) (Image: Peter Bolter)

Kier said recycling rates have increased in the area.

A spokeswoman said: “We have been working with Bridgend County Borough Council and Valleys to Coast Housing on several improvements to further encourage recycling rates in Wildmill, with measures including increasing the number of collection points and expanding bin capacities. This has already resulted in recycling rates increasing by 10%.

“We are pleased that local residents have supported this new initiative with the majority using the collection points. Unfortunately, a small minority of people are fly-tipping in the area which the council is working hard to rectify. We will do all that we can to assist the council and continue to engage with residents to highlight these new measures.”

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Bridgend council said extra bins have been placed on the estate.

A spokesman said: “The majority of Wildmill residents want to recycle and are doing the right thing for their community. However, a small minority are spoiling it for others, while some people from outside of the neighbourhood are driving into Wildmill and dumping their rubbish there.

“We are aware of these issues and are working hard to improve the situation. In collaboration with our recycling partners Kier and the Valleys to Coast (V2C) Housing association, we recently installed extra bins across the estate and moved some of the communal collection points to make them more accessible for residents, but less convenient for fly tippers.

“We also knocked on hundreds of doors to meet residents and talk to them about recycling.

“With weekly recycling collections, fortnightly refuse collections, and the possibility to book bulky waste collections, or take items to the local household recycling centres, there is no excuse for anyone to fly-tip their waste.

“Clearing fly-tipping comes at a cost to the public purse. We are determined to reduce it and encourage everyone to be more responsible with their waste, and we’ll continue to work very closely with Kier and V2C to make any necessary improvements.”