Stinking pile of rubbish so big it was visible on Google Earth festered in back garden

A couple have told of their misery as an enormous pile of rubbish so big it could be seen on Google Earth was allowed to fester in the garden of the house next door. Angela and Kevin O'Donnell said the massive mound of waste was attracting vermin and created a foul stench.

They said they had tried to discuss the problem with the tenant living at the address in Tile Cross, but the door was never answered and they were so seldom seen that they worried that the occupant might even have died inside. The pair said they had complained to their local council and the Environment Agency at least once a week but nothing had been done.

The waste was finally removed by Birmingham City Council on Friday, May 20, after the problem was made public. Ms O'Donnell told BirminghamLive: "There have been reports of rats coming up to the door, along with pigeons and all sorts of seagulls. The smell is not nice either. It’s depressing. Other neighbours have gone to the council too.”

The couple, who said they had not seen the tenant next door for at least two years, took on the house they own from the council as a buy-to-let. The couple live in Castle Bromwich with their 10-year-old son.

Latest imagery on Google Earth showed the rubbish mound dispersed across the back garden of the maisonette, sandwiched by much tidier gardens.

Angela and Kevin O'Donnell own the property next door to the mound of rubbish, which was cleared today (May 20) by Birmingham City Council (Angela O'Donnell)

Ms O'Donnell, a 45-year-old mortgage adviser, confirmed she had tried to get in touch with the tenant. She said: “It’s strange, we looked through the window once as I was concerned they had passed away, but the next day I saw a bottle of milk had moved.

The mound of rubbish in the Tile Cross property. Picture taken by Angela and Kevin ODonnell from their own property. It was cleared today (May 20) by Birmingham City Council (Angela O'Donnell)

"The situation has got worse. I consider this a welfare matter – but so should the council.” A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: "Birmingham City Council apologises for the distress this situation has caused.

Google Earth shows the mound dispersed in the back garden of the Tile Cross maisonette (Google Earth)

"We have been liaising with the tenant to help them clear their garden as we are aware of the impact this is having on neighbours. As part of this ongoing support we have cleared the garden today and will be working with the tenant to ensure it remains clear."