A BASING Wood father has hit out at the council’s policy on waste collection allowance after his garden became “infested” with rats.

Gareth Wintle, of Park Avenue, Basing Wood, believes he is being let down by the council after he received a replacement bin that was 100 litres smaller than his old one.

Mr Wintle, who has a sixmonth-old baby, found his 240 litre bin had been taken four weeks ago, and despite being promised a replacement “within days” was forced to wait an additional two-and-a-half weeks for his new bin.

But when it arrived it was just 140 litres big. At present, Mr Wintle fills two green bins full of recycling, but finds he uses the full 240 litre black bin as his child constantly uses nappies and he has three cats, mice and a hedgehog he looks after.

“It’s lucky that we’re not trying to sell our house at the moment because the problem is getting worse,” Mr Wintle said.

“We have always had a large black bin but one morning within minutes of the council collecting the rubbish from it, it had been stolen or taken.

“We’ve waited weeks for this new bin and because we left the rubbish outside our house and we live near the [Basing Wood] Common we’ve had an infestation of rats.

“When I asked the lady at the council whether she thought we’d be accepted to have additional bin space, she alluded to the fact we probably wouldn’t.

“Another person at the council said we could get rid of any additional rubbish at the tip, but what if don’t have a car? Should we be expected to take dirty nappies and cat litter on a bus?”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council changed its policy in 2015 on waste bin sizes, replacing 240 litre bins with 140 litres bins to encourage residents to recycle waste.

In order to get a larger bin, an online application form must be filled in and reasons for it considered before it is accepted.

The council’s cabinet member for the environment and regulatory services Cllr Hayley Eachus said: “To encourage residents to recycle, the council has replaced lost or damaged grey bins with a 140 litre bin since April 2015.

“Households of five or more, that are making an effort to reduce their waste and recycling everything they possibly can, are able to apply to the council for a second grey waste bin if they feel they need more capacity.”