06 February 2023 , 14:30
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A woman who lives on the grounds of a graveyard is locked in a row with her local council over an apparent rat infestation.
Philippa Berry, who lives in Dalry Cemetery Lodge House, Edinburgh, says she was forced to use pest control after five bins were put outside her property.
She is involved in a dispute with Friends of Dalry Cemetery and City of Edinburgh Council, who she claims were wrong to put the bins which have led to the infestation of rats and mice.
Philippa, 58, says that she has now had to deal with rodents in her home and has reached an impasse with the cemetery representatives.
Philippa claims that bins have caused a rodent invasion (Edinburgh Live)She told Edinburgh Live: "They put five bins in, and as a result I got mice. I asked the council to put one bin there and I was told no, you can’t do that because of wheelchair access.
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“The Friends of Dalry Cemetery ask to put five bins in and that’s allowed?
“They’ve breached my privacy as the bins were placed outside my kitchen window. I suffered issues with mice due to increased rat activity and damage to my front wall due to earth displacement by rats.
“The council has added a whole load of bins without speaking to me first, and the problem is I’ve had rats that dig under my house.
“I saw an albino rat in my garden, and it actually turned up to my pizza party. It turned up and started eating popcorn. Somebody was drunk and thought it was a pet so started stroking it.”
A report from the pest control company, which Philippa contacted at the time, reportedly reads: “Possible reason for mice in property may be down to increased rat activity at bins outside kitchen window area, fresh rat evidence was found at the bins.”
She is involved in a dispute with Friends of Dalry Cemetery and City of Edinburgh Council (Edinburgh Live)Philippa is also rowing with Friends of Dalry Cemetery over security cameras and panic buttons that have been installed during to antisocial behaviour at the cemetery.
But she claims that Friends of Dalry Cemetery have asked for the security system to be "reduced".
They claimed the sensor and audible alarm was going off for almost every person who walked into the cemetery - and requested Philippa adjust the sensors.
This was after a shed, containing gardening tools and other items for the Friends group, was placed across from her kitchen window.
Philippa added: "I was told it would be moved. They wouldn't give me a date, and there was people hanging around across from my window. Months later it was finally moved."
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Philippa is currently pursuing legal action against the council.
The Mirror has contacted City of Edinburgh Council and Friends of Dalry Cemetery for comment.