RESIDENTS living on a housing association rental development have expressed disgust after they suffered a maggot infestation lasting for six weeks.

Tenants in Newydd Housing Association’s Cwrt Hortop homes, in Main Street, Cadoxton, said they had to endure an overwhelming pong after black bin bags containing food waste were deposited on site.

They claim the Vale council had failed to collect and the situation had escalated to a public health concern.

Cwrt Hortop resident, Martin Blackmore said: “We are having problems with some people in Cwrt Hortop and Pontypridd Street dumping the food in the bin area in black bags.

“We are also concerned about the food bin.

“A number of neighbours have told the Vale of Glamorgan Council a number of time to empty it, but no joy.

“We were given the brown bin for the food and they have picked it up in the past with no problems.

“We are aware that the bin area is under investigation at the moment, but we feel at Cwrt Hortop that it should be removed at once due to the state of the food bin.

“It smells so bad that one neighbour is having to keep her windows closed.

“The food bin has been not emptied for about six weeks now.

“Beside the Vale stating a few time they would remove it, nothing happens.”

He added that he would like a Vale council officer to attend the site to personally advise all residents on recycling and waste disposal.

Newydd Housing Association said it was aware of issues with waste collection at some schemes, including Cwrt Hortop.

A spokeswoman said: “The issue appears to be the result of food waste not being separated from recycling and black bag waste.

“On this occasion, to ensure there is no health risk to our tenants or local residents, we have arranged for a waste collection company to clear the bin store at Cwrt Hortop.

“We will continue to work with our tenants and the Vale of Glamorgan Council to resolve this ongoing issue.”

Vale council operational manager for neighbourhood services and transport, Colin Smith said council officers were unable to collect food waste from this location as it had been contaminated with other waste making recycling impossible.

He said: “Arrangements have now been made to dispose of it using alternative means.

“Maintaining bin stores is the responsibility of the housing association, but the council is happy to work with them to ensure waste storage is managed appropriately.”