Honiton rats fear prompts council to act

Rubbish removed from garden of private address in the town. Neighbours had complained it was a health hazard.

EAST Devon District Council was moved to collect rubbish from the garden of a private property in Honiton following complaints from neighbours.

The vacant house, in Streamers Meadows, became the subject of complaints when the former occupier left a mound of bin bags on the front lawn.

A resident in a neighbouring property spoke to an environmental health officer, who said nothing could be done - because no rats were nesting in the rubbish.

However, action has now been taken.

A spokesman from East Devon District Council said: “Normally, it is the householder’s responsibility to arrange for disposal.

“However, since the property is now unoccupied, we have asked our StreetScene team to arrange for the waste contractor to collect the bags of waste at the earliest opportunity.”