A SHARED garden in an area of York has become an unofficial dump for unwanted furniture, clothes, suitcases, pet paraphernalia and bags of food waste that tenants say are attracting rats 'as big as cats'.
The communal space shared by tenants living at Ganton Place in Dringhouses was once a haven for wildlife but is now described as a no-go-zone for local residents due to almost a year's worth of discarded rubbish mounting up.
A York tenant says communal garden has become unofficial dump on Ganton Place, Dringhouses.
One tenant who has a flat in one of the accommodation blocks that has access to the garden said she first reported the mess to City of York Council last December.
At that point, the mound was made up of a mattress, chest of drawers, suitcases and a pillow.
However, she said no action had been taken since then and the pile of discarded waste has grown significantly.
Another view of the mounting mound of household waste being dumped in a communal garden on Ganton Place, Dringhouses.
Frustrated by the mess and smell emanating from the garden, and the lack of council action, the tenant - who asked not to be named - contacted The Press.
She said the communal garden is shared by flats occupied by families and single tenants.
The space had once been 'beautiful - like a fairytale' with big hedges that attracted wildlife such as squirrels and hedgehogs, she said.
A tenant says the problem was first reported to City of York Council in December 2025.
"You have to step over the rubbish to get to the bin now. There's a mattress, chairs, beds, dismantled wardrobes, bags of rubbish, jumpers and clothes, suitcases, pet products like a cat carrier and toys.
"Rubbish bags of food are now being pulled apart by foxes. We back on to a nature reserve overlooking a pond but we are overrun with rats. I didn't think it was possible, but these rats are massive - like cats. It just makes you miserable when you live in an otherwise lovely area and this is outside.
"People are adding to the tip. I want to take pride in my property; I'd like to have friends around but I don't want people to see that mess. It is such a lovely, beautiful street but this garden looks horrendous.
"I've gone out this morning and it looks like someone has raided through the stuff to see if there's anything worth keeping."
Recommended reads:
The tenant said she had complained verbally to the council on a number of occasions since December 2025, verbally and online, as well as to several housing managers.
"About four people [from the council] have been around and taken photos," added the tenant. "It is like a museum! I feel like I have artefacts in my garden! "My housing manager told me these things take time but a year is take the mic," she said.
The Press has contacted City of York Council for a response.
What do you think?
Feel strongly about an issue? Send us a letter. Please write no more than 250 words and you must provide your full name, address and mobile number. Send your views by email to: letters@thepress.co.uk