A field on the borders of Southend and Rochford has become a dangerous rubbish tip and should be cleared up immediately, a councillor said.

The land in Cherry Orchard Way has been strewn with burnt-out cars and other litter since travellers were evicted last year.

The land is privately owned and moves have been made to develop the site, but nothing has been done to tidy it yet.

Debris : car wrecks and other rubbish litter the field Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

Simon Gorham, Tory councillor for Southend's St Laurence ward, said his attempts to contact the owners, Laindon Holdings, have been unsuccessful and he is worried that travellers will return this summer.

Mr Gorham added: "It cannot be right that law-abiding taxpayers are left with this disgraceful mess on their doorstep.

"The residents of Biscay, Fastnet and Rockall in Eastwood have had to put up with this eyesore for long enough. It is the responsibility of the landowner to clear up the site.

"We need tougher laws on this matter. Those responsible for the mess and damage of this site should be held accountable and the Conserv-atives have been trying to change the law to enable this to happen."

He added: "We need to ensure this matter is resolved because it is totally unfair that law-abiding taxpayers should suffer.

"I have tried to contact Laindon Holdings on numerous occasions, but have not had any reply." Nobody at Laindon Holdings was available for comment.

Charles Smith, chairman of the Gipsy Council, said: "If they don't want gipsies to use illegal sites they should provide them with sites or let them build their own as many of them want to do."

Published Monday, May 26, 2003

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