A SPATE of ‘degrading’ fly-tipping in Burnley has seen a call for an action group to be set up to tackle the problem.

Sean Pennington, 26, has come forward to encourage other Grey Street residents to help keep the area tidy.

A patch of land which neighbours Trout Street has been left derelict for several years and has recently been blighted by rubbish being dumped there.

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Sofas, chairs, cushions and general waste have been spotted on the privately-owned section of the street.

Burnley Council has pledged to visit the area and take ‘appropriate action’.

Residents had called for action to be taken earlier this year after the site was branded ‘vile’ and an ‘unwanted eye sore’ by neighbours.

The G4S worker said the area needs to be improved.

He said: “For as long as I have lived on this street, the condition has got worse and worse.

“It’s degrading to the area, people are moving away or wanting to move away because it’s become so bad.

“It’s time for something to be done, I want to hopefully set up a group that could work together and help keep the area tidy.

“It’s not just this section of land that is responsible, it’s the bigger picture, the street and surrounding streets.

“I’m tired of looking out my bedroom window every morning and seeing the street look a mess.

“My grandmother used to say the street has fallen into decline. It’s gone downhill.

“But I hope to bring it back to what it used to be and make it into something for the future.”

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 litter clearing notices can be used by councils to tackle litter on most types of land.

If the land is not cleared to a satisfactory level, the council can enter the land and clear up litter and charge the owner for doing so.

A Burnley Council spokesman said: “We will go out to re-inspect this area and take the appropriate action.

“On previous occasions when there has been flytipping on this site, the landowner has worked with us and done what they can to clear and secure the site.

“Council officers have just visited another site within the Grey Street area.”“There had been another fly tip and we have obtained evidence and issued two Fixed penalty notices.

The Lancashire Telegraph attempted to contact the landlord through the council but he was unavailable for comment yesterday,