THE consequences of not removing a fire hazard would be 'catastrophic', a councillor has said.

Residents at the Pen y Llan flats in Connah's Quay have raised concerns over where their bins are placed and said it is a fire hazard for those living there.

The bins are currently placed underneath one of the flats and guarded with wooden fencing.

Resident Stacey Clowes told the Leader they have been complaining for the past five years to try and get them moved to a safer place.

She said: "We've been asking for five years to get it moved. People have been found sleeping in it and it's full of rats which attracts the cats.

"It doesn't really get emptied either and it's hard to get to the recycling with all the rubbish inside.

"This is about it being removed completely, we want them to go somewhere else.

"For the people that live there it's a fire hazard. Inside there's a light and there's vents so if there's ever a fire it would go up the vents. Someone now lives directly above it."

Stacey said they would prefer the bins to be moved to a concrete area, away from all of the flats.

She added: "There's a perfectly good concrete area but they want to use money to dig up the grass, concrete it and build the pods.

"It's dangerous, you've only got to go in there and light a match and it will all go up."

Cllr Nathan Jones, of the Golftyn Ward, said: "It would not take much for a fire to start, whether accidental or with intent, the consequences of which could be catastrophic.

"There needs to be serious consideration to relocating the bins to a safe area. This is a risk we cannot take."

Cllr Eric Faulkner, of the Golftyn Ward, said he has received many complaints from residents for 'some time'.

He told the Leader: "We have strong concerns over the fact that it's an accident waiting to happen.

"It's been going on for some time and it's a fire hazard. The people living above in those flats, if there's ever a fire, they are going to suffer smoke inhalation.

"The County Council said they were going to come out and have a consultation with residents to see where they want to ship the bins to, but at the moment it really is an accident waiting to happen."

Cllr Paul Shotton, Flintshire Council representative, added: "I have spoken to Flintshire County Council officers and letters will be going out in due course to tennants for a consultation on the bins issue along with phase three to complete the enhancement of the Pen y Llan courts complex."

Neal Cockerton, Chief Officer Housing and Assets said: "The bins are currently stored in an area which is considered adequate.

"However, as part of the final phase of the modernisation works of the only un-refurbished block at Pen y Llan Court, to be undertaken this financial year, the bin storage area is to be relocated so as to improve access both for residents and our Streetscene operatives who collect the waste and recycling materials."