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Rubbish dumped at former Baseball Ground

Residents say the former football ground has become a 'wasteland'

People living near the former Baseball Ground in Derby say the area around it has become a "dumping ground".

Site owners Walbrook Housing plan to build 140 homes there but the area is being targeted by fly-tippers.

The city council has pledged to clear the rubbish soon, but Rams fans are disappointed at what has become of the ex-Derby County ground.

Locals have said furniture, clothes and needles are among the items that have been dumped on the site.

	What has happened now seems a total waste

Joseph Kelly, a former steward at the ground who lives on nearby Shaftesbury Crescent in Normanton, said: "This area used to be fantastic.

"I've been watching Derby County since I was young and what has happened now seems a total waste.

"It's a dangerous eyesore. There's rubbish, clothes, beds and bits of furniture there."

Fellow Shaftesbury Crescent resident, Annette Oliver, said: "It gives the area a bad name. Normanton's always had a rough image but it's getting worse and worse.

"I haven't seen anyone come to clear it and have even seen needles there - the council need to pull their finger out."

Glory days

A spokesperson from Walbrook Housing said the firm is looking into the fly-tipping.

The city council said it does do regular litter picks around the area and will clear up the rest soon even though some rubbish is on private land.

Derby County moved to Pride Park in 1997 - the famous floodlight towers at the Baseball Ground came down in 2004.

The football ground, built in the 1890s, hosted top teams such as Benfica and Real Madrid in the Rams' glory days.