TWO Bradford families say their lives are being blighted and their health severely affected by what they claim is the ‘ghastliest’ garden in Bradford.

Complaints have been made into the property in Lynton Grove, Heaton, for the past 10 years with no success.

Bradford Council, which last year introduced a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to messy gardens, served a notice to tidy up the garden two years ago and has now pledged to look into the matter again.

The rear of the property measures around 80 or 100 feet but is a dump stacked high with stones, building rubble, corrugated sheets, broken machinery, wood and timber.

“It has been getting worse over the past 10 years since the householder, Anthony Sibbons, retired,” said next-door neighbour Aidan Bulland.

“There’s enough wood stacked up to run Drax Power Station. It is an eyesore front and back. It even looks as though he is now digging down under his bow window at the front.

“Over two years ago the planning authority sent three contractors to quote for the work of clearing the mess. I then got a letter in December 2014 from the council to say an enforcement notice had been served on the property but nothing had come about it. The letter says that a ‘decision had been made not to pursue any further action at this time’. They are just lily-livered.

“An article in a Sunday paper on August 14 had a similar story and the council cleared it and gave the homeowner a bill for £14,000. Why can’t Bradford do that?

“The house was in Leicester and was branded ‘Britain’s ghastliest garden’. I think they should come and look at this one.”

Catherine Bulland added: “I’d say this one is certainly the worst in Bradford.”

Robert Tessyman who has lived at the other side of the property for 49 years said the mess, abuse and constant worry has caused him and his wife to suffer. “There is no doubt it has made us both ill. The authorities have let us down,” he said.

A spokesman for Bradford council said: “There were complaints of noise nuisance reported in 2005 and 2006. Mr Sibbons was served a notice to tidy up his garden two years ago.

“Our environmental enforcement team will now look into this matter again.”

The T&A was unable to contact Mr Sibbons for comment.