Mary Tomlinson said it was a “complete shock” and “extremely distressing” for her and her neighbours in Montpelier Street, Brighton, when the bin was placed outside their flats at 7am on January 6.

Ms Tomlinson, 40, said there had been no warning or consultation about the bin’s arrival. She has expressed concerns about the potential for the bin to smell, attract pests and create additional noise from its use and from collections.

She said the location of the bin is “wholly inappropriate” and has urged Brighton and Hove City Council to review it, as it is right outside her door.

But Councillor Tim Rowkins, deputy leader and cabinet member for net zero and environmental Services at Brighton and Hove City Council, said the site had been visited again and it was determined no other locations would not present an obstacle at a corner or fall within a parking bay.

He said the council’s rationale was to place food waste bins next to existing communal bins.

The food waste service was launched in September and has grown to cover more than 73,000 households.

“It feels like an unfair burden to have it outside my door,” said Ms Tomlinson.

“I do support the food waste policy.

“But I feel like there are less impactful locations.

“I’m not sleeping well.

“We really should have been consulted.”

The council does not consult on the placement of communal bins.

Ms Tomlinson said the bin will have “a direct and very negative impact” on her daily life and affect the value of her home.

“Food waste bins generate unpleasant odours, attract pests, and create additional noise from frequent use and collections,” she said.

“The existing bin frequently overflows and smells. This will significantly affect my enjoyment of my property particularly as the bin’s located at my entrance.

“I’m also extremely concerned that this appears to be the only communal waste bin serving multiple streets.

“As a result, I will have a constant flow of people coming directly to my front door throughout the day and evening to dispose of food waste.

“This will lead to increased noise, loss of privacy, disturbance, and general nuisance, and effectively turns the frontage of my home into a public access point for waste disposal.

“This level of footfall is wholly unreasonable for a single residential property to bear.”

Ms Tomlinson said she had spoken to her bin man who suggested a “less impactful” location would be by nearby recycling bins where there are no front doors or windows.

Ms Tomlinson thinks the bin should be put next to the recycling bins across the road (Image: Mary Tomlinson)

She said the current location of the bin “is probably the worst place it could have gone” and that there were “so many” alternative places nearby.

Cllr Rowkins said choosing locations for communal bins is “challenging in a densely populated city like Brighton and Hove, where there are limited options”.

“The rationale has been to place the new food waste bins together with existing communal bins, and that is the case here,” he said.

“Officers have visited the site again and there are no other locations at that mid-point in the street that would not present an obstacle at a corner or fall within a parking bay.

“We do keep bin locations under review, however, and we will consider any alternative sites.

“The overwhelming majority of feedback we have received since launching our food waste collection service has been incredibly positive. We know residents have wanted this type of service for many years and it has been brilliant to see how well-received it has been.

“Our new food waste vehicles come with on-board jet-washers so any spills can be cleaned up straight away.”