A HAMPSHIRE council is urgently seeking the owner of a parcel of land near Fareham, which has become a dangerous illegal dumping ground.

Winchester City Council wants the site in Bere Farm Lane, North Boarhunt, to be cleared as soon as possible following complaints from residents about rats using the tip and the possibility of deadly asbestos lying there.

The dump was created several years ago when the former Boar's Head pub was converted into luxury flats.

A plan is presently in with Winchester City Council to build two luxury homes on the former pub car park, where the dump lies.

But nothing can be done until the dump is shifted. One resident, who would not be named, said he had seen rats at the dump and believed there was asbestos as well.

"This is a problem that has been going on for years and some residents are up in arms about it," he said.

Today Bryan Walker, press officer for Winchester City Council, said environmental health officers were visiting the site this week as a matter of urgency and would be reporting on their findings.

Meanwhile the search for the owner of the site goes on, but the issue was a complicated one.

The council had written to the Land Registry to try to find proof of ownership of the land so that a notice could be served on the owner to clear the site, which is littered with bricks, old beds, sinks and tons of rubble.

But not all residents are against the tip. Mrs Edith Smith, of Bere Farm Lane, said she would rather the tip was there than new housing.

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