The mess left at the former Richard Dunn site has been branded a disgrace, as local councillors pledge to fix the problem.

Waste – including doors, windows, bathtubs, garden waste and children’s toys – have been left outside the sports centre, which closed in 2019.

A number of shopping bags and bin bags, as well as discarded wood, furniture and even a kitchen sink, were also seen at the site.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, has been left frustrated by the issue.

Members of the traveller community have been staying at the site in recent days and the resident said the fly-tipping became apparent after they had left the site. 

“This is an absolute disgrace,” the resident said.

“It leaves Bradford residents likely contributing to substantial clean-up costs.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

He also claimed that it was not the first time there had been an issue at the site.

“This is the third time this year, to my reckoning, that travellers have entered the land despite council claims to be taking steps to prevent that,” he said.

Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey), who ward covers the Richard Dunn site, said that local ward councillors are looking at ways to resolve the issue, as well as ways to prevent instances like this from happening again in the future.

“We will ensure that the mess at the Richard Dunn site gets cleared as quickly as possible,” Cllr Berry said.

“It’s a challenge managing the security of the site, and there have been issues with fly-tipping in the area.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

“We are looking at measures to prevent further incidents of this nature and it is something we will get sorted out.

“We have to make sure that we get this fully reviewed and resolved as soon as possible.”

Sabiya Khan, also a Labour councillor for the Wibsey ward, echoed Cllr Berry’s words.

She added that her team is working on finding a solution to the problem.

“We are aware of how the Richard Dunn site has been left following the departure of the traveller community,” she said.

“The issue has been reported to us by residents and organisations in the locality and we are working with our environment health and neighbourhood teams to ensure that the Richard Dunn site is both secured and cleaned up.”