Council responds to concerns about homelessness after photos show ‘massive pile of rubbish’ in Newhaven

A reader submitted photos to this newspaper on Saturday, January 3, showing litter, clothes, a mattress, cushions, household items, shopping trolleys and blankets in Lower Place.

She expressed concern that a homeless person had been living at the site since summer, saying it would be ‘far too cold’ for someone to be there during the recent freezing temperatures.

She added: “It is such a mess that common sense should dictate that something needs to be done.”

On Saturday, the reader said the pile was opposite a car park and ‘spreading out onto the road’.

In response, a LDC said: “Our primary focus is the welfare of the individual who appears to be staying at this location. Our Neighbourhood First team and partners from the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) are engaging with them to offer support, including housing options and healthcare services. People living in these circumstances often have complex needs and it’s not uncommon for offers of support to be refused.

“We also recognise the negative impact this site has on the community. Since it now contains fly-tipped material and is encroaching on the highway, we will be co-ordinating a clearance. We will work to ensure the area is cleaned while continuing to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the person involved.”