Saturday December 27th 2025
Fly-ripping at the bin stores in Church Place, Fauldhouse
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
Housing officers are working with colleagues across services in a blitz to improve communal areas around West Lothian flats.
In one ward estates officers made 172 visits to 39 communal stairs in just three months over the summer.
Key targets are dangerous storage in stairwells and rubbish being fly-tipped in bin areas.
Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley is largely rural with small villages. There are only 39 council properties with communal stairs in the ward.
Chair of the ward’s local area committee, Councillor Craig Meek asked local housing manager Gary Stoddart: “It’s obviously an ongoing issue, is there anything more that we can do to try and target that?”
Mr Stoddart explained that the estate teams work with housing officers as well as staff in operational services in terms of cleanliness or properties as well as health and safety issues.
Common problems are tenants putting rubbish into the wrong bins and rubbish being piled in bin stores making it impossible for waste collection crews to access the large bins.
Mr Stoddart explained that in some cases estates staff have had to hire contractors to clear rubbish from bin areas to ensure that the waste collection crews can gain access.
He added: “Historically it has been a concern, communal stairs and communal bin areas .
“Our estate team will go out to see what there is. Where we recognise there is going to be an issue then we’ll get a company to come out to lift rubbish.
“Where we do identify those responsible we will take action, This is a tenancy breach. Environmental wardens can also issue fixed penalties. It’s a vicious circle.”
He added: “There is a lot of work going on with the estate teams, the housing team and waste management to try to curb behaviours. It’s an ongoing piece of work.”
Mr Stoddart’s report to the committee outlined: “Fallas Place and Church Place, Fauldhouse has persistent issues remain regarding improper recycling practices and items being left in the communal stairwell.
“Some residents continue to dispose of waste incorrectly or fail to follow recycling guidelines, contributing to untidiness in the common areas.
“Estate Assistants will continue to carry out weekly visits to Fallas Place and Church Place to monitor the situation and provide residents with appropriate guidance and support. These visits aim to encourage compliance with recycling protocols and promote responsible use of shared spaces.”
