Sussex 'eyesore' gardens cleared after enforcement action

Homeowners were charged thousands for not keeping their gardens in Eastbourne tidy.

The gardens were filled with old mattresses, broken furniture and building materials.

Some neighbours of the “junkyard” gardens told The Argus they had been transformed into a “dire state of disarray".

A 'jungle garden' in Eastbourne which had to be cleared (Image: Eastbourne Borough Council)

An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesman said: “Neighbours who act responsibly and keep their gardens tidy are entitled to expect others to do likewise.

“When required our officers will always communicate with homeowners and explain why they need to tidy up their land.

“When these requests are consistently ignored, our planning enforcement team will take direct action.”

A garden full of rubbish in Selmeston Road, Eastbourne (Image: Supplied)

In each instance, a section 215 untidy land notice was served by the council to give it the power to take steps to require the land be cleared up where its condition “affects the amenity of the area”.

On January 5, the council cleared a “garden jungle” in Park Avenue, Eastbourne, after several complaints from neighbours.

Despite promises from the owner that it would be clear within three months, nothing was done.

In May, a garden filled with broken furniture, old mattresses and discarded bin bags was cleared following complaints.

Rubbish and broken fencing in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne (Image: Eastbourne Borough Council)

The council said the work had brought a “sense of relief” to residents.

Contractors removed four skips and nine tipper trucks full of debris from the garden of the property in Milfoil Drive.

Earlier this month, a person in Selmeston Road had their “dumping ground” garden cleared.

It was full of building materials, old bikes and rubble.

The garden in Selmeston Road after it was cleared (Image: Supplied)

The council fined each homeowner thousands in clearance costs after serving the enforcement notice.

In nearby Seaford, a homeowner was fined on January 10 this year for their “junkyard garden”.

The garden in East Dean Rise was filled with rubble, discarded furniture and a car.

The debris took two and a half days to remove, which filled the front, rear and side garden of the house.

Since 1999, around 80 per cent of section 215 notices have secured compliance from the land owner.