A SWARM of seagulls has descended upon a rubbish tip as food scraps are being held there.

Residents visiting the Colchester Council-run tip in Shrub End noticed an increase in the number of nuisance birds flying around.

Curious as to why, they approached ward borough and county councillor Sue Lissimore, who contacted Essex County Council for an answer.

She received a reply saying food waste was now being transferred from the site, instead of being taken straight to a separate plant in Halstead.

Ms Lissimore (Con) said preventative measures needed to be put in place as soon as possible.

She added: “As ward councillor for the area I’m concerned over rats as well because if there is waste food lying around then they too will be attracted to it.”

There are two separate waste facilities at Maldon Road, Colchester - the Essex County Council recycling centre for household waste and the waste and recycling operational depot operated by Colchester Council.

A spokesman for the county council said: “We are advised our officers based at the Shrub End site have noticed a significant increase in the number of gulls in the area and this has got progressively more pronounced since changes to processes at the Colchester Council site.

“I understand food waste is now being transferred out of Colchester Council depot, rather than being delivered directly to the food waste treatment plant in Halstead.

“As a result, it appears gulls are feeding from scraps of waste on the top of trailers and from the floor, prior to the food waste being transferred into containers ready for transportation.

“Our officers have written to Colchester Council requesting action be taken to control the gulls.”

A Colchester Council spokesman said it had been dealing with a substantial increase in the amount of food waste being processed at the Shrub End depot.

They said: “This is rather than it going to landfill, since the introduction last June of the new waste and recycling service.

“Despite the food waste being transferred from one sealed container to another, before it is sent to the recycling plant in Halstead, this activity will inevitably attract gulls.

“We have, therefore, asked our pest control officers to visit the site to advise how to best manage the gulls.”

Food waste is collected on a weekly basis but has to be separated from general household waste into a food caddy.