Residents Frustrated by Rubbish Crisis Near UWE Campus

Mountains of rubbish accumulating outside student housing near the University of the West of England (UWE) in South Gloucestershire have sparked significant concern among local residents. Many in the surrounding areas, including Cheswick Village and Stoke Park, report that the ongoing waste issues have led to rodent infestations, contributing to a feeling of distress and prompting some families to consider relocation.

Residents have expressed frustration over what they see as inadequate action from the South Gloucestershire Council. Sejal Hampson, a local homeowner, described the situation as “embarrassing,” saying, “A lack of enforcement by the council has meant that the estate has looked worse and worse over time.” Hampson noted that conditions have deteriorated significantly in recent years, with growing piles of rubbish leading to mental health concerns among neighbors.

Hampson, who has lived in the area for fourteen years, mentioned that while she anticipated some issues in a student-populated neighborhood, the last five years have seen a marked decline in cleanliness and orderliness. “People are getting frustrated, getting very mentally down about the issues around the area,” she explained, emphasizing that the situation has reached a point where some residents feel they have no choice but to sell their homes.

Photographs submitted by Hampson and other locals illustrate the severity of the problem, showing heaps of decaying refuse overflowing onto the streets. Additionally, Hampson raised concerns about the increasing number of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) in the neighborhood, which she claims continue to receive approval despite special regulations designed to control their proliferation. The area is subject to an Article 4 direction, requiring planning consent for converting single homes into HMOs.

Particularly affected is Wood Mead in Cheswick Village, where residents struggle to report fly-tipping incidents due to the council’s online portal not recognizing their street. Hampson’s frustration extends to the lack of communication from UWE regarding their impact on the community, although she identifies the council’s inaction as the primary issue.

According to Hampson’s Freedom of Information requests, from January 2024 to February 2025, no Community Protection Warnings or Notices regarding waste management were issued by the council in the area. In response to the residents’ concerns, a spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council stated, “We are aware of concerns regarding waste management in HMOs in this area. We take all reports seriously and understand the impact that waste-related issues can have on our residents’ wellbeing.” The spokesperson assured that the council dedicates significant resources to monitoring waste presentation and is committed to maintaining a clean environment.

In a recent communication, a UWE director confirmed plans for a community meeting on September 4, 2025, ahead of the new academic year, in an effort to address these pressing issues. However, residents remain skeptical, especially with the council planning to reduce black bin collections to every three weeks starting in May 2026. Hampson expressed her concerns about this upcoming policy change, stating, “I’m worried about it in May… this is just going to go from bad to worse.”

As the local community grapples with these challenges, residents like Hampson are calling for immediate action to address the waste crisis. “I want people to have a sense of pride,” she said, highlighting the urgent need for effective waste management solutions that can restore the neighborhood’s quality of life.