Blackpool Council steps in over rat infestation at housing estate

The rodents are causing stress to some residents on Woodlark Chase, in Norbreck, Blackpool

A council said it had taken legal steps against a developer after residents were left with a rat infestation on their estate.

Some residents on Woodlark Chase, in Norbreck, Blackpool, said they had seen rats in their gardens and under floorboards and spotted rat droppings.

One said a rat chewed through wires in her car, causing £600 worth of damage.

The council said contractors had employed a pest control firm last week to deal with the issue.

Some residents are partly blaming an attenuation basin, which is designed to collect excess rainwater, for the problem and said the rodents were coming up from the pipes there.

An attenuation basin has been partly blamed for the issue

A man who lives on the estate on Warren Drive told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Rats have been seen sitting on windowsills and on bin covers.

"We have rabbit hutches in our garden and it's a concern if the rats get near them.

"It's very unnerving to think about where they might be hiding or if they are going to scuttle past your feet when you go out into the garden.

"It makes me shudder as the rats are huge."

Another resident, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: "You're worried about letting the dog out on an evening because you're not sure what might be waiting in the garden."

However, Richard Miller who also lives at Woodlark Chase, said he was not concerned.

"To this day, I've not seen one. I live right on the edge and not had a problem."

Councillor Paula Burdess said contractors had employed the services of Rentokil to deal with the issue

Blackpool Council's environmental health team have now stepped in to help solve the problem.

A council spokesperson said: "Our investigations found rats had been coming into the residential area from a nearby watercourse. The water was at a higher level than normal due to the recent heavy rainfall."

Pest control

Councillor Paula Burdess, cabinet member for community safety, street scene and neighbourhoods, said: "We have contacted the contractor and we have placed an order on them to get their own contractors in for pest control."

She said they employed Rentokil last week "who will be dealing with the problem".

"We have contacted all the residents to let them what has been done... and we have had a public meeting and we will monitor the situation to ensure the ongoing pest control takes place," she said.

'Rat habitats'

A spokesperson from Lovell Homes said: "We are aware of, and have acted in response to, the pest control issues reported at Woodlark Chase.

"An environment officer has visited and confirmed an offsite ditch, not owned by Lovell or related to the development, was impacted by heavy rainfall with the resulting flooding leading to rat habitats being pushed on to the Woodlark Chase development.

"Lovell completed and left the site in December 2022 with the management company that is responsible for the development now continuing to work closely with the council to take further coordinated actions to eradicate the issue."

Blackpool Council's planning committee initially refused permission for the 86-home scheme to be built, after residents and councillors warned it would increase the flood risk in the area.

But the decision was over-ruled by a planning inspector following an appeal by Lovell Homes and approval was granted in May 2019.

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