Fly-tipping blights historic former abbey

Suitcases, clothes, books and broken glass were among the items found at the historic site

One of a city's oldest historic sites is being blighted by fly-tippers, residents say.

Hulton Abbey in Stoke-on-Trent - which gives its name to the Abbey Hulton area of the city - regularly suffers from waste and litter being discarded in its vicinity, they said.

People report regularly seeing cars parking near the Beard Grove entrance to the site and dumping bags of rubbish.

Suitcases, clothes, books and broken glass have all been seen littering the footpaths around the 13th Century site which has scheduled monument status.

The former abbey, founded in the 13th Century, gave Abbey Hulton its name

Clare Micheal, who was walking her dog at the site, said it was disappointing to see litter being dumped.

“This place is lovely walking around, it’s so peaceful and there is plenty of room for your dog," she said.

“I’ve seen broken glass which is worrying for everyone who comes on there and walks their dogs. People need to be more considerate.”

One resident, who did not want to be named, added the main problem was litter.

“If you walk around you will see litter everywhere," they said.

“The problem is how do you stop people from doing it? I’ve seen people just pull up and leave bags of rubbish at the gate.

“All it takes is some wind and it’s blown all over the place.”

"You will see litter everywhere," one resident said.

The city council recently increased the penalty for fly-tipping from a vehicle from £400 to £1,000.

The authority said rubbish would now be cleared from the site.

Councillor Amjid Wazir said there have not been any complaints about littering at Hulton Abbey but arrangements would be made for it to be disposed of.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.