Seaford homeowner to pay thousands to council for 'junkyard' garden

The “junkyard” garden in East Dean Rise, Seaford, 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.

The homeowner ignored an order from Lewes District Council which meant the council cleared the rubbish out of their garden.

• READ MORE: Homeowner who ignored order to clear 'garden jungle' charged thousands

Councillor Julie Carr, cabinet member for recycling, waste and open spaces, said: “The outside of this property had become a blight on the landscape for people living nearby and those using a footpath next to it. 

“Our requests to the resident to properly dispose of the waste, which ranged from white goods to old road signs, fell on deaf ears so we had to take direct action ourselves. 

The rubbish-filled garden (Image: LDC)

“Anyone else who uses their garden as a junkyard should be aware that they will not get away with damaging the look of the neighbourhood.”

The rubbish was on view to neighbours and people using a nearby footpath.

The council said it was “spoiling the local environment” before it was cleared in December.

A section 215 untidy land notice was served by the council which gave the owner two months to tidy their land. 

After the garden was cleared (Image: LDC)

The notice allows councils to demand "land to be cleaned up when its condition adversely affects the amenity of the area".

Councils need to consider the "condition of the site, the impact on the surrounding area and the scope of their powers".

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

The £2,700 charge on the East Dean Rise house was made to cover the costs of the clearance work and will be recovered when it is sold.

It comes as another resident in Eastbourne was charged thousands for failing to clear their “jungle garden last week.