The former Rolls Royce factory in East Kilbride, Scotland, has become an eyesore and a hotspot for fly-tipping, with some offenders even being caught on camera
Locals are fuming as a former Rolls Royce factory site in East Kilbride, Scotland, has become a notorious spot for fly-tipping, with some culprits even caught red-handed on camera.
The esteemed firm left the site in 2015, moving nearer to Glasgow Airport.
While part of the land has been developed into homes, a significant portion remains abandoned and untouched, despite the site having a treasured history of engine production for the UK and having featured in a film about the exploits of the workers who once built some of the most iconic engines in the world.
Community members are demanding action, fed up with the eyesore that’s now strewn with mountains of illegally dumped tyres and rubbish.
Local resident Michael McClorey shared his exasperation: “I’ve been here for about four years, and the land has always been derelict with nothing on it.”, reports the Express.
He noted a marked decline in the area over the past eighteen months.
McClorey bemoaned the current state of affairs: “Looking at it now, there’s rubbish all over the land.”
He voiced his disillusionment, stating, “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.”
For residents, the constant sight of the debris is a source of anguish: “We look out at it all the time – that’s all we can see. It’s not nice to be looking out on.”
McClorey voiced concerns about the potential impact on property values, saying: “I’m not trying to sell my house – but this would definitely have an impact on selling prospects. It looks awful.”
He disclosed that while there had been talks of transforming the site into new housing, which he is in favour of, no headway has been made.
Reflecting on his attempts to seek assistance, McClorey shared: “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 in question was once a bustling aero-engine repair and maintenance facility until its closure a decade ago, and local authorities have confirmed that it remains privately owned.
Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, managed to film a white pickup truck illegally dumping waste on the site.
They commented: “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 into 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 metres away from our boundary fence.
“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, remarked: “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.”