RESIDENTS living in housing association accommodation are being “plagued” by a rat-infested bin store which mysteriously “explodes” while they are asleep.

Tenants at Barley Court, in Wivenhoe, run by the Braintree’s Eastlight Community Homes, regularly awake to find an overflowing heap of waste near their homes.

In photos seen by the Gazette, an overflowing bin store can be seen spewing with a stream of black bags packed with waste.

According to a source close to concerned occupants the situation has been ongoing for some time.

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He said: “Residents at Barley Court have been plagued by mystery refuse for months - it explodes out of the bin store overnight, possibly the result of fly-tipping.

“Some residents have seen rats and all this is right next to the new Flag B&B, [which will] open in September.

“Council rubbish collectors will not deal with it and when Eastlight eventually bring in a team to clear it, it happens again a few weeks later.

“The cost of this is passed on the charge to unlucky residents who are in despair at the state of the grounds as a whole.”

Despite repeated attempts by residents urging Eastlight Community Homes to address the problem once and for all, they say little has been done to resolve it.

“Residents have contacted Eastlight for a solution but aside from a door code that was broken within days nothing is happening,” added the source.

“It is a case of bin there - not done that.”

Bosses at Eastlight Community Homes have now said they are introducing new measures in a bid to deter those responsbile for the problem.

A spokesman said: "Following reports of fly-tipping at Barley Court, Wivenhoe, we have introduced fortnightly inspections with rubbish clearances and litter picking when required.

"We are also exploring further options to prevent fly-tipping, and are speaking to the local authority about collections and the potential to introduce recycling bins."