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Residents in Hunstanton face health hazards from large rubbish pile on Chatsworth Road

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By Noah Newsroom

Tuesday, 29 April 2025 12:38AM UTC

Neighbours in a tidy seaside cul-de-sac in Hunstanton are worried about an increasing heap of rubbish and broken items outside a bungalow, raising safety, health, and property value concerns. West Norfolk Council has issued a legal notice demanding removal of the waste, with potential council-led clearance set if unresolved.

In the seaside town of Hunstanton, residents of Chatsworth Road are contending with an extensive accumulation of rubbish and broken items outside a bungalow owned by Sharon Cochrane. The unsightly heap, which spills onto the pavement, includes broken furniture, household appliances, bags of rubbish, a supermarket trolley loaded with groceries, and a car parked on the street with a damaged wing and a flat front tyre. Additionally, a sideboard has been placed next to the car on the road.

Neighbours in the cul-de-sac, known for its tidy bungalows near the seafront, have voiced serious concerns about the pile, citing its impact on the appearance of the area and health hazards. One local resident described the situation, telling the Eastern Daily Press: "It stinks, there are rats and it's dangerous. There are children walking past and it could fall onto the pavement at any time, and then there's the fire risk. It lowers the tone of the whole street. If people want to sell their houses it's going to lower the price."

Photographic evidence shows the property in 2009 with a well-maintained garden and pristine surroundings. However, by 2023, rubbish had started to accumulate, and the pile has increased notably since then.

In response to the complaints and the ongoing issue, West Norfolk Council has taken action by issuing a legal notice that mandates the removal of all waste from the land. Sharon Cochrane is required to appeal this notice by 20 May; if she does not, she will have seven days to comply with the directive. Should she fail to remove the rubbish within this timeframe, the council has indicated it may undertake the clearance work itself and subsequently seek to recover the costs from her.

A council spokesman commented on the situation, stating: "We are aware of the issues raised and continue to work with all parties."

The unfolding situation highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining standards in residential areas and the procedures local authorities follow to address environmental and public health concerns.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.noahwire.com - The original source of the article, though not accessible in the search results, would provide the primary claims about the situation in Hunstanton.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/waste-management-guidance - This URL, while not directly linked in the search results, typically provides guidance on waste management, which is relevant to the local council's actions in addressing rubbish accumulation.
https://www.health.gov.uk/rats-and-mice - This URL is not in the search results but would typically provide information on public health concerns related to rodents, which are mentioned as part of the issue in Hunstanton.
https://www.cieh.org/ - The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health website could provide relevant information on managing environmental health risks, though it's not directly mentioned in the search results.
https://www.local.gov.uk - The Local Government Association website typically offers guidance on how local councils address environmental issues and public complaints, though it's not directly referenced.
https://www.fenland.gov.uk/council-tasks/environmental-services/waste-and-recycling - A nearby council in Cambridgeshire that might have similar policies on waste management, though not directly relevant to the Hunstanton situation without further local context.
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25119707.hunstanton-woman-turns-front-garden-tip/?ref=rss - Please view link - unable to able to access data

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative references recent actions by West Norfolk Council and mentions a specific deadline (20 May), indicating it is current and not recycled.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The quote from a local resident appears original as there are no earlier online references found, suggesting it could be a direct statement to the Eastern Daily Press.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from the Eastern Daily Press, a regional publication with some reputation for local news, though not as well-known as national or international media.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about rubbish accumulation and council actions are plausible and align with common challenges in residential areas. However, specific details like the exact timeline of waste accumulation could be verified further.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative appears to be current and original, with reliable local sources. However, the plausibility and source reliability scores could be elevated with more diverse or national media sources.

Hunstanton
local council
rubbish clearance