AN ESTATE that was deemed “too clean” to be part of a city-wide tidy-up project still has corners plagued by rubbish and mess, a councillor has claimed.

Last month a planned litter pick in the Barton estate was scrapped after OxClean leader Rosanne Bostock decided it was “too clean.”

The Oxford Civic Society initiative works with Oxford City Council, Oxford Mail sister paper the Oxford Times, and communities in a drive to keep “grot spot” parts of the city spick and span.

But Oxford city councillor Van Coulter said there were still areas of the Barton estate that need to be tidied up.

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The Barton councillor pointed out Sherwood Place, home to a number of Barratt Homes, as one particular cornern that needed to be cleaned-up.

He added: “A once-beautiful willow tree was a centre piece, but about two years ago, this was damaged in a storm. The base of the tree continues to look a mess and branches and debris still remain.”

Oxford Mail:

Van Coulter.

Mr Coulter said that he had seen mattresses in the road when he last visited the street.

South Oxfordshire Housing Association commissioned 42 affordable Sherwood Place homes in 2005, but Mr Coulter claimed that as the land was still owned by Barratt Homes, it was difficult for the council to intervene.

But residents still jumped onboard to tidy up other areas of the neighbourhood, even if not part of the official OxClean programme.

Barton councillors and residents took part in a community clear-up day last weekend, cleaning the green park and play area.

Barton resident Andy Carne, 29 and his wife Beth, 27, took part and said it had been good to give something back to community.

Mr Carne added: “I think there are some local area spots that have more issues than others, but the clean up was mainly around the park.”

Seven volunteers managed to collect about a dozen bags of rubbish, Mr Coulter said.

The councillor said the team of volunteers did not have enough time to tackle the issues at Sherwood Place.

He added: “Barratt Homes have the responsibility to resolve the issue, and they should do so.

“Passing debris and rubbish accumulating in privately- owned land to the council is not a solution.”

In response, Barratt Homes said they had no record of any contact with the city council about concerns over the willow tree at Sherwood Place.

Paul Smith, technical director for Barratt Homes Mercia, said: “Now we have been alerted however, a member of staff will be visiting the site to assess the situation.”