ST Helens Council is in negotiations to sell off a fly-tipping grot spot in Parr.

A delegated decision has been taken to agree an exclusivity clause with Browns Short Break Respite in Nunn Street to negotiate the sale of council land at the rear of Parr Stocks Road.

A decision notice on the council’s website says that an exclusivity agreement would allow the two parties to continue with negotiations and allow Browns Short Break Respite to be able to provide a final offer for the land.

The council says there are a number of historic issues related to the land.

“To the rear of Browns Short Break Respite Ltd there is a piece of council land which has historically been disused and suffers from significant anti-social behaviour, including alleged drug dealing as well as significant fly-tipping,” the decision notice says.

The notice says fly-tipping on the land has previously cost the authority up to £4,000 per annum to clear up, and as such it has “ongoing financial liability” to the council.

Marie Brown, managing director of Browns Short Break Respite, said she has complained to the council on numerous occasions regarding the back of the property.

She said the area is being used as a “tipping ground” and is having a negative impact on the respite centre and other local businesses.

Mrs Brown said: “This is when me and my husband decided to approach the council to see if they would agree with us purchasing the back of the area to hopefully save the council money by not having to keep sending their staff in to remove all the rubbish, which I know would be costly.

“We would be looking at fencing this off with a gate access to store our vehicles, which are constantly getting damaged being left on the car park.

“Again, this has also been reported.”

Mrs Brown said if a sale is agreed, the respite centre would create a large garden area with raised beds, suitable for disabilities.

She said the centre would also look at purchasing a disabled swing that service users could use while remaining in their wheelchair.

Mrs Brown said: “I think the local houses would benefit from this as this would look lovely to look outside their windows and doors looking at flowers rather than looking at rubbish, which is also attracting rats.

“I’m speaking from us all around this area this fly-tipping is potential hazardous to our businesses and risk of a fire with all the suites and rubbish that is constantly being left.”

The council says that previous consultation with adjacent owners and occupiers raised no objections to the acquisition of the land or the re-arrangements to the rear area.

“To enable positive discussions to progress it is considered that an exclusivity agreement is entered into so that a positive dialogue can be continued,” the notice says.