A Dundee councillor has called for a clear-up of the Stack Leisure Park after a mound of rubbish was left to fester on land behind the derelict Venue nightclub building.
Ironically, the dump is on land directly adjacent to Dundee City Council’s own Marchbanks waste management depot on Harefield Road.
There are also large piles of asphalt lying on the derelict ground next to the former nightclub.
However, because the Stack Leisure Park is on private land, it is not the council’s responsibility to clear the mess.
Lochee councillor Tom Ferguson is calling for the entire area to be cleaned up.
It is currently home to a number of stores and there are plans to turn to former nightclub, which has been vacant for more than a decade, into a branch of Sports Direct.
But the alley behind the nightclub is now filled with a sea of litter, running down almost the entire length of the buildings.
Hundreds of old plastic bottles, crisp packets and other detritus lie in a stinking heap to the rear of the former nightclub.
Although landowners TJ Morris have attempted to secure the area by locking a gate on the side of the building, there is a large area of waste on the other side that allows access to the alley at the rear of the building, even though a large gate remains in place.
Lochee councillor Tom Ferguson said: “It is not the council’s responsibility but I think the whole area needs cleared up.I will definitely be looking into this.The spotlight is definitely turning on the whole area.”
Fellow Lochee Labour councillor Norma McGovern said she believes fly-tipping has become more common in the area since the council closed the Marchbanks recycling point.
“I’ve raised issues about rubbish in different parts of the Stack with the environment department and the owners in the past,” she said.
“Without a doubt the closure of Marchbanks is having an impact on fly-tipping.
“That was closed to the public and the council has tried to tell us there has been no increase in fly-tipping but it doesn’t look like it.”
SNP councillor Alan Ross said he hopes Sports Direct begin work to transform the derelict property as soon as possible.
He said: “You only need to go into the Stack on a Saturday now to see that it is a chock-a-block so obviously it has become a popular place again.
“But more could be done to make it more attractive so I’m really hoping Sports Direct get in soon and start changing the building.”
John Alexander convener of Dundee City Council’s neighbourhood services committee said: “So-called fly-tipping is completely anti-social and blights the communities and areas where it goes on.
“Anyone who does it is also acting illegally and the council has in place robust procedures to deter this type of behaviour.
“I would completely condemn this kind of selfish and dishonest practice.”
“You can report fly tipping on the Council’s website.”
Amateur Dundee film-maker Jag Betty also posted a clip of the rubbish on YouTube.
He asks: “Where did the rubbish come from? Has it been dumped over the wall? It looks like somebody has dragged something along and let all the rubbish spill out.”
TJ Morris bought The Stack in 2008 after its previous owners went into administration.
A spokesman for TJ Morris said: “We’re aware of fly tipping at Stack Leisure Park and are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”
