MORE than 300 flytipping incidents have been reported in Helensburgh and Lomond over the last three full financial years, figures have revealed.

Trampolines, televisions, fridge freezers and dining sets are among the items reported as being flytipped in the area after a freedom of information request.

The total for Helensburgh and Lomond accounted for more than one in three of all fly-tipping reports made across the Argyll and Bute Council area.

The enquiry asked for details of all fly-tipping incidents to have taken place across Argyll and Bute during the last three full financial years – from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024.

Among the other items reported as part of Argyll and Bute Council’s response was a Christmas tree which was reported as having been dumped, not in the middle of winter but on July 10, 2023.

In all, the authority had around 900 flytipping incidents reported across the four administrative areas of Argyll and Bute during the three years.

During the most recent year, reports were received of a dumped trampoline in the Churchill area of Helensburgh, and a microwave and “smelly dog basket” on a second floor landing.

A washing machine was also reported to have been dumped at Barbour Road in Kilcreggan, while a shopping trolley, a tyre and four bins were found dumped near Alder Gate in Helensburgh.

The council was also asked for details of the cost of dealing with each incident reported.

However, the officer dealing with the enquiry responded: “The information you requested is not held by the council and as such I must refuse this part of your request in terms of Regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs (environmental information regulations).

“However, in line with the duty placed on the council in terms of Regulation 9 of the EIR’s, I can advise that the council does not record clearance costs as a separate expenditure.”

A page on the council’s website says that it costs £50 to remove fly-tipping – an offence for which a fine of up to £40,000 can be issued.

The page states: “Flytipping is ‘the illegal deposit of any waste onto land, i.e. waste dumped or tipped on a site with no licence to accept waste’.

“Flytipping affects the aesthetic appeal of an area and causes damage to the environment.

"Waste can include general household waste; larger domestic items including fridges and mattresses; garden refuse; and commercial waste such as builders’ rubble, clinical waste and tyres.”