Overflowing bins at Bishopswood Wood Court, in Tadley, sparks anger from resident

Queenie Gomez, a resident of sheltered housing complex Bishopswood Wood Court, is becoming increasingly frustruated about the overflowing bins, which have been left to smell outside the building.

In March residents were forced to evacuate their homes after a fire broke out in the building’s bin shed, which at the time were reportedly overflowing.

The 92-year-old who lives alone in the flat directly above the area affected by the fire, previously said she was “frightened” as she followed the instructions of housing provider Vivid and remained in her property when the fire broke out.

SEE ALSO: Sheltered housing resident hits out at housing firm after arson attack in ‘overflowing’ bin shed

“I thought at first, when the fire alarm went off, that it was just a test, but they normally do it on a Monday,” she said.

Now, Queenie's daughter, Vanessa Tolson-Goddard, has said the bins are once again overflowing, which has angered her mother. 

Vanessa said: “The downstairs flat which is below her was totally gutted and the resident had to be rehoused and they have only just refurbished it now.

“The bins have been situated outside the bin room, which has been burnt out, and have not been emptied by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council who have the contract to do that. Now people are putting rubbish on top of the bins and they are now overflowing even more.

“It stinks to the high heavens, especially with all the hot weather we are having.”

Vanessa confirmed that representatives from Vivid came and cleared the excess bags off the bins but said the they have still not been completely emptied and more rubbish has now been put in.

She added: “It is a horrible outlook for my mum to have out her window and it is normally quite a nice view with the trees, but now she can’t open the window at the moment because of the smell.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have told the Gazette that the bins are “contaminated”.

READ MORE: Hampshire country pub undergoes £100,000 refurbishment

Helen Taylor-Cobb, the council's head of contracted residents’ services, said: “We are aware of this issue. Waste at the bin store has and continues to be collected, however the crews have been unable to collect the recycling bins as they are contaminated. This has been reported to the housing association Vivid whose responsibility it is to clear the contaminated recycling before any further recycling collections can be made. We would encourage concerned residents to contact Vivid to resolve this matter.”

Despite this Vivid has said they carry out site visits regularly.

Jonathan Cowie, chief operating officer at Vivid, added: “The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority as well as wanting to make sure their homes and neighbourhood are comfortable and pleasant places to live. 

“We are working together with our customers, ensuring bins are used equally and encouraging them to contact us if they are unable to do so or if they notice them overflowing.”

“We visit weekly to make sure the bins are at an acceptable level to be emptied by the council. Customers can contact us to let us know if overflowing and we’ll make extra visits to empty them to a level which provides more capacity before the next bin collection takes place by the council. Together this will help manage the bins as effectively as possible.”

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