AN area of Glasgow’s South Side has been deemed an ‘embarrassment’ by local residents.

Land on Nitshill Road has been left strewn in rubbish from nearby shops and used as a toilet and dumping ground by passers-by.

It is claimed the area has become such a mess that homeowners in the adjoining Househillmuir Road have stopped opening their windows in the summer due to the smell.

Issues have been linked to bins belonging to retail units in the area, and fly-tippers using the grass area as a dump.

Rather than using bins implemented by the council, shop owners have been pictured burning rubbish, often leading to the fire brigade being called out.

Ann Greaves and Gladys and James McKenna live beside the land and have raised concerns with the local council and MSP Chris Stephens.

Ann said: “The surrounding area is littered with rubbish which is never cleaned.

“The grass is never cut which in my opinion contributes to the fact people constantly dump their rubbish there.

“When the grass is cut, they cut it round the edges and around any rubbish.

“People drinking at the shops and in the street, urinate on the grass and leave their empty cans and bottles lying around.”

It is understood environmental officer from Land and Environmental Services recently told the residents that they found no Statutory Nuisance, something that affects a person’s health or causes disturbance to them in their property, on the private land.

Mr Stephens said: “We have made representations to the Council regarding this area since September 2015.

“We have contacted Environmental Health and Community Safety Glasgow on at least five occasions. I understand that both Environmental Health officers and Commercial Waste officers have visited the site in response to these complaints.

“In addition, I also understand that the police are aware of Youth Disorder in the area, and that these matters have been raised with the Local Operational Working Group.

“The situation in this area is not acceptable, and I expect that these issues will be resolved to the satisfaction of the community.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Environmental health is aware of issues in the area around the shops and has issued a Fixed Penalty Notice to one of the retail units for incorrect disposal of commercial waste.

“The land behind the shops is believed to be privately owned and we are currently conducting an ownership search to conclusively establish ownership.

“When that is complete, and if the situation has not improved, we will take the issue up with the landowner and use any statutory powers available to bring about an improvement to the area.

“In the meantime, all the shopkeepers have been reminded of their responsibilities to dispose of their commercial waste in the correct manner.”