A furious father-of-four claims his children have been virtual prisoners inside their house for two years because his garden has become a dumping ground for hazardous waste.

Sharaz Iqbal, 27, said over the past two years the “stinking” pile of soil, rubbish, broken glass, household waste and building materials had been mounting up at the rear of his back garden in Ringwood Road on the Canterbury estate.

Mr Iqbal said it was dangerous and meant his children, aged one to six, could not play outside.

He said: “I have asked the Council and Incommunities to move it. I’ve tried to clear it myself but people just keep throwing more on top.

“There’s nothing to make my back garden private so people think it’s a free-for-all.

“My children have been locked inside the house, they can’t play out because it’s too dangerous.

“There’s broken glass, all sorts of stuff in there and now summer is kicking in, it’s going to stink again.”

Mr Iqbal, who is unemployed, said: “When I cleared it up, I put it all to one side hoping the Council would take it all away. Councillors and officers have all been round to have a look but nothing has been done yet and I’m getting desperate.

“If they don’t move it soon I’m going to move it myself and just dump it in the road outside, I won’t pay any fine.”

Councillor Sher Khan said he and all the other ward councillors were aware of Mr Iqbal’s claims and had visited the property along with Council officers and officials from Incommunities.

After being contacted by the Telegraph & Argus this week, an Incommunities spokesman said: “We are aware that there is a considerable amount of old building materials situated on a piece of land which is at the back of the property in Ringwood Road.

“On the occasion when this was reported to us we visited the location the following day. We will now be in contact with our customer to agree when the materials will be removed.’’

  • Read the full story Monday’s T&A