“I’m not expecting beautiful scenery in a city – but instead I’m looking out at old tyres and piles of rubbish. It’s really having a very negative effect.”
Residents say the site has become an “eyesore”, with piles of rubbish and tyres littered across it.(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)
Outraged locals in a Scots town have shared their frustration at a former Rolls Royce factory site, which has become a major fly-tipping dump – with some blatant culprits even caught on video.
The iconic firm moved its operations from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, to Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, near Glasgow Airport, in 2015. While part of the site has been redeveloped for housing, a section at Law Place has been left abandoned.
Neighbours have said it has become an eyesore – with mountains of fly-tipped tyres and other rubbish left strewn across it – and called for action.
Resident Michael McClorey said: “I’ve been here for about four years, and the land has always been derelict with nothing on it.
“It’s been more so in the past year and a half that it’s gotten worse. Looking at it now, there’s rubbish all over the land.
“I’m not expecting beautiful scenery in a city – but instead I’m looking out at old tyres and piles of rubbish. It’s really having a very negative effect.
“We look out at it all the time – that’s all we can see. It’s not nice to be looking out on. I’m not trying to sell my house – but this would definitely have an impact on selling prospects. It looks awful.”
Michael McClorey’s home looks directly on to the site.(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)
Michael said there had been talks of turning the site into a new housing development – which he says he strongly encourages – but says nothing has materialised.
He added: “People have contacted the council previously – I was in contact with a councillor in 2022 to talk about what’s happening with the land. Nothing was ever put in place.
“Last year, we were told that an application had been put in to develop the land into a new-build development, but we’ve not heard anything since then.
“I would like to see the land cleared of rubbish – that’s the priority. I would like to see new houses there, to bring more people into the area and make it a bit nicer to look out.
“I really hope the council have a look at doing something about it.”
The site was once a major aero-engine repair and maintenance plant until it closed a decade ago. South Lanarkshire Council have stated the land is privately owned.
No concrete plans have been made to redevelop the land since Rolls Royce moved out 10 years ago.(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, was able to record footage of a white pickup truck dropping off rubbish at the site.
They said: “It’s an eyesore mostly, however I wouldn’t be surprised if it has added to the number of pests and flies that make their way in to our garden.
“In addition, there are fires that have been happening within the waste, likely releasing chemicals into the atmosphere.
“There is a tall pile of tyres – if this was the next thing to catch fire this would cause major issues and is only meters away from our boundary fence.
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“The fire brigade have also had to attend the scene several times. We have contacted the council, who stated it was private land so they couldn’t help.
“We then contacted our local MP who was more responsive in helping but so far haven’t achieved much. They are currently investigating who owns the land.
“I understand that several other residents of the estate have done the same thing.”
Kevin Carr, Head of Facilities, Waste and Grounds Services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “Fly tipping is the result of unacceptable behaviour and illegal action by a small number of people who do not dispose of their waste in a fit and proper manner.
“It is a blight on our communities, and the council takes this criminal activity very seriously.
“Although the council is not responsible for fly-tipping on private land, our Environmental Crime team will still investigate any reports made to us and, where possible, inform the landowner. However, local authorities don’t have statutory powers to require the waste is removed.”