Charnwood Borough Council

This list is not exhaustive, but details some of the situations typically referred to the Council Environmental Protection team for help. There may be situations where some overlap exists between enforcement agencies. If you are unsure about which agency may be able to help you are still welcome to contact the Environmental team in the first instance for advice.

Wheelie bins, side waste and bags of recyclable material

If these are not being collected for any particular reason the Council’s Cleansing Enforcement officers should be made aware (01509 634563).

Overgrown gardens

There is no legislation that requires gardens to be kept to a reasonable standard of tidiness, and the Environmental Protection team would only become involved if there was a significant vermin problem, which would mean being able to find evidence of such infestation rather than responding to occasional sightings of solitary rats. In extreme cases, where the condition of the land adversely affects the amenity of the neighbourhood, the Council’s Planning Enforcement team (01509 634773/634736) may be able to take action under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Accumulation of non – roadworthy motor vehicles on a domestic property

Depending upon the circumstances, this may also be a matter for the Council’s Planning Enforcement team (01509 634773/634736) under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. They may also be able to take action under legislation controlling running a business from a domestic property if the vehicles are being worked on for commercial purposes, rather than as a hobby.

Overhanging vegetation

This is a private matter between householders. Householders are allowed to cut down branches that overhang the boundary, and these must then be returned to owner of the vegetation. Ideally, householders should discuss their intentions to do any such pruning with the owner of the vegetation beforehand, out of courtesy, to avoid any ill-feeling, and ascertain whether any off-cuts need to be returned or can be taken straight to a civic refuse amenity site for composting. Further details on refuse site locations can be found below.

Invasive vegetation damaging drains/drives etc.

Again this is not a matter for the Council, but must be resolved by the parties involved, through solicitors if necessary. Urgent action needs to be taken if the plant involved is Japanese Knotweed.

Rubble, glass, metal, dangerous structures on privately owned land with open access

The Council cannot force a landowner to secure his property to prevent access on to it, despite the inherent danger that might befall anyone who trespasses on to the land. Property owners have a common law duty of care to people coming onto their land, even if they are trespassers, and any injuries caused would have to be pursued through a private legal action. Where the condition of the land adversely affects the amenity of the neighbourhood, the Council’s Planning Enforcement team (01509 634773/634736) may be able to take action under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. In some cases the Council’s Building Control team can require work to be done to make some dangerous structures safe. They can be contacted on 01509 634924/634757.

Asbestos

Any asbestos on a domestic property, whether found inside or outside the building, is the responsibility of the property owner. The Environmental Protection team can offer advice on where to get any suspect material identified, but the decision whether to remove the material or leave it in-situ rests with the householder. The most common situation referred to the Environmental Protection team involves the disposal of asbestos cement panels; thin, gray coloured panels (often corrugated) found on out buildings or house soffit boards. The householder can carry out the disposal of this material, and the Environmental Protection team can advise on simple health and safety procedures for dismantling and transporting the panels. However, before taking the panels to a civic amenity site the householder must contact Leicestershire County Council Waste Disposal for permission to take them to a tip able to take such waste. Their contact number is 0116 305 7240. For other types of asbestos material, particularly if it is indoors, we advise you to seek advice from specialist asbestos removers, many of who advertise in ‘Yellow Pages’.

LPG cylinders/timber storage

Usage and storage of these on a domestic property is not a Council issue. Current health and safety law only applies to circumstances on commercial and industrial premises not domestic, and any issues resulting in damage caused to property by the actions or inactions of a neighbour, usually has to be addressed through private legal action or an insurance claim. Further guidance on LPG cylinders, and any other flammable material kept on a domestic property, can be obtained from Leicestershire Fire Service Fire Safety Officer (0116 305 6557).

Bulky domestic items (Large furniture and electrical items)

The disposal of these is the responsibility of their owner. The Council’s Cleansing team does offer a paid collection scheme for bulky domestic items, and further details can be obtained on 01509 634563.