IT STINKS, attracts vermin and looks disgusting – and it sits in the heart of one of Oxford’s most popular residential areas.

This illegal rubbish tip at 103-104 St Mary’s Road, East Oxford, has been increasing for about a year.

Neighbours have had enough and have complained repeatedly to the authorities to get it cleared up.

And last night Oxford City Council vowed to take enforcement action against the landowner in the near future.

Gian Piero de Bellis, 59, who owns a neighbouring property, said: “It's absolutely disgusting, a complete disgrace.

“How can anybody be expected to live next door to this filth? It must be crawling with rats, and is just metres from family homes.

“I have contacted all the authorities but the waste is still there.

“Someone is going to have to step in at some stage because it is getting more and more dangerous.”

Mr Piero de Bellis moved to Oxford from Italy 20 years ago, but last year he relocated to Switzerland and now rents out his former home. He said he was “gobsmacked” at the deterioration of the city over the past two decades.

Mr Piero de Bellis said: “I used to tell my friends here that Italy was going to the dogs, and that's why I first left.

“But now, when I'm back in Switzerland, I find myself saying exactly the same thing about Oxford and Britain. I can’t believe how much it has changed.

“It used to be a beautiful and proud country, but these days I don’t know what has happened.

“The difference between here and Switzerland is remarkable. If this had happened there, it would be dealt with because people would not accept living in mess like this.”

Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We are investigating complaints from nearby residents and we will take action in the very near future.

“We have successfully prosecuted people for similar offences during the past year.”

Environment Agency spokesman Hayley Willoughby said: “We have been made aware by the city of the alleged illegal waste operations at the address.

“We have not received any direct complaints from the public, but local authorities have informed us that flytipping and burning of waste is being carried out.”

In 2006, the council granted permission for a five-bedroom house on the site.

Work has yet to begin. The landowner was unavailable for comment.

Earlier this month, the Oxford Mail teamed up with the city council to launch Cleaner, Greener Oxford — a campaign aimed at reducing the £1m spent every year cleaning our streets.

Police Community Support Officers (Pcsos), council officers and street wardens have stepped up patrols and fined litterbugs £80 for dropping cigarette butts, chewing gum and litter in the city centre.

  • Do you know a grottier area in Oxford? Call the Oxford Mail newsdesk on 01865 425500 or email news@oxfordmail.co.uk.