POLICE, council officers and residents are trying to track down illegal fly-tippers dumping bricks, washing machines and mattresses on what used to be a green haven.

The plot of wasteland behind Tesco in Abingdon Road, Oxford, was once a pretty orchard in the garden of the Fox and Hounds pub.

When it was demolished and construction started on the controversial supermarket, trees were felled and the land was left barren behind a fence and locked gate.

That was bad enough, but in the last six months someone has started using the land as a giant rubbish tip, and the problem is getting worse.

Phil Fryer and Sue Smith, whose house in Peel Place overlooks the eyesore, said they and their neighbours were at their wits’ end.

Dr Fryer added: “We were sad to see the orchard go because it was a beautiful amenity.

“Then the fly-tipping started about six months ago and the latest stuff came in the last week.

“We’ve seen the people doing it. They came in a van and had the lock combination to get access through the gate in Tesco’s car park.

“One of our neighbours got half of the van’s licence plate before they scarpered – it’s all a bit Miss Marple.”

Neighbours reported the fly-tipping to police and were told officers had looked at CCTV from Tesco to try to identify the culprits, but have not been told of any arrests.

Dr Fryer said: “People are angry and frustrated because we can’t move this forward. We can’t get hold of the owner of the land and we can’t resolve the situation.”

Residents also reported the problem to Oxford City Council, which joined the inquiry.

Council leader Bob Price, who is also ward councillor for this part of Oxford, said: “Our environmental health team are investigating as we speak.”

He said the land was owned by a company called VO properties that bought it from Tesco, but the Mail was unable to contact the firm.

He said: “They were trying to develop the site and the land with the car wash next door for housing.

“We rejected one housing scheme that was completely inappropriate.

“We would like to see a housing development there that fronts on to the road and has space at the back so it does not encroach on the houses in Peel Place.”

The city council has also launched a prosecution against the owner of the land on which the car wash is now operating for not getting planning permission.

Mr Price said he was hoping the case would come to Oxford Crown Court in March.

In the meantime, residents hope that police will continue to investigate the fly-tipping.

The Oxford Mail could not contact the Thames Valley Police press office despite repeated attempts.