Homeowner with mountain of festering rubbish piling up in her garden is threatened with ‘direct action'
A COUNCIL has threatened to take 'direct action' to clear up a rat-infested front garden piled high with junk.
Sharon Cochrane's property in Hunstanton, Norfolk, is nearly buried with broken furniture, bags of rubbish, and household appliances.
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Now, West Norfolk councillors have agreed "direct action" can be taken if necessary over Ms Cochrane's untidy plot at her £250,000 property.
However, the authority has said no deadline has been set and it is trying instead to work with her because she has begun to clear the rubbish.
A spokesman for the council said: "The council is working with the owner to manage her property.
"Officers recognise that she has made an effort to clear the exterior and they will continue to support her to do this.
"However, they also have the council's authority to take direct action, which means that if it becomes necessary a clear-up can be undertaken, for which she will be liable."
Ms Cochrane, 66, enraged neighbours on the resort's Chatsworth Road after junk piled high in her front garden.
A supermarket trolley full of groceries had also been left, while a car with a damaged wing and flat front tyre is parked on the street outside with a sideboard next to it.
But Ms Cochrane previously insisted it was no-one else's business.
She said: "The world is going to hell in a handbasket and people care so much about my furniture on my own drive.
"I don't understand why people are so concerned."
Locals said the pile was attracting vermin and was lowering the tone of the whole street.
One neighbour said: "I'd like to throw a molotov cocktail on it.
"People have tried to get lots of different agencies involved but nothing seems to happen.
"We only occasionally see her walk past to Tesco with a shopping trolley.
"This is a quiet, peaceful road and it's a shame."
Tammy Edmunds, spokesperson of Chatsworth Road, said: "How can the law of the land let someone live in such squalor and filth?
"I appreciate there are laws and regulations but some people seem to live above them.
"The street has been suffering with this on and off for ten years and in the last five weeks its gotten worse.
"It's a fire hazard and risk of health and safety.
"We've heard of rats from there spreading across to other properties which has meant pest control have had to come out."
West Norfolk Council served an enforcement notice under the Town and Country Planning Act ordering Ms Cochrane to clear up the mess.
If it takes "direct action", she would be liable for the cost of removing it and could have a charge put on her property to recover the money if she is unable to pay.
The Sun has contacted West Norfolk council for additional comment and updates.
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