A vast illegal 7,500-tonne waste dump has been found yards away from a former Premier League football stadium.

Shocking drone images show household and commercial rubbish strewn across a 50-metre strip of land in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

The festering pile was hidden behind a hedge just across the road from Valley Parade, the 24,840-capacity home of League One team Bradford City AFC.

It was discovered last week after locals reported a strong ‘rotten’ stench filling the air during the heatwave.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched an investigation into the site off Midland Road, in Manningham, and say they are trying to track down those responsible.

Drone footage shows the dump stretching around half the length of a football pitch with large towers of loose trash and piled in hundreds of black bin bags.

The back end of an articulated lorry and rusting containers can also be found among the mess.

One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they had seen ‘strange’ trucks entering the land and disposing of waste in the area.

A huge illegal waste dump has been discovered on an obscured strip of land in Bradford

Stinking mounds of commercial and household rubbish have been left to rot

The area’s three local councillors visited the site as the Environment Agency launched an investigation

They said: ‘This issue came to light when we had the recent heatwave and the local area was overcome by a disgusting smell of rotten foods and waste.

‘We were not able to leave windows or doors open due to the disgusting and pungent smell.

‘It was only after many of the local residents were discussing this issue it was highlighted that many of them had seen trucks entering a parcel of land on Midland Road that has been locked for many years during the early mornings and evening which I felt was very strange.’

The resident claimed they decided to investigate and found an excavator moving large bags of waste on the site.

They said: ‘I walk daily along this road so decided to try and look over the wall to see what was being done on the land as there were no signs for any business at the gate.

‘I was able to catch a glimpse as it’s a big wall with a huge drop and vegetation on the other side and saw an excavator moving around huge black bags of waste.

‘There was an articulated trailer as well as some sort of incinerator.

‘That same evening I saw a removal truck outside the premises waiting to access the property.

‘It was also being discussed on a local community group and pictures and videos were taken – these were uploaded to the group and the excavator was removed from the site.’

In a joint statement, Manningham’s Independent councillors, Councillor Muhammed Ali Islam, Councillor Muhammad Haseeb Khan and Councillor Mohammed Saliss, said they were ‘deeply appalled’.

An estimated 7,500 tonnes of waste have been dumped along the 50m strip

The Environment Agency has launched an investigation into the mound

They said: ‘This is completely unacceptable and represents a blatant disregard for our community and the environment.

‘We will not tolerate anyone treating our community as a dumping ground.

‘Illegal waste dumping, in any form or on any scale, has no place in Manningham.

‘We are aware of the ongoing investigation and sincerely hope those responsible are identified, prosecuted where appropriate, and held fully accountable for their actions.’

They said following reports from residents earlier last week they ‘immediately referred’ the matter to the EA’s enforcement team.

The EA said they received reports on Wednesday, July 1.

The councillors said early reports suggest that HGVs travelled into Manningham from outside the area to dispose of the waste.

They described the dumping as ‘organised’ which would be ‘even more disgraceful’ if confirmed.

The councillors also expressed appreciation for the residents who raised the alarm, praising their ‘vigilance, public spirit and commitment’ to the community.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency confirmed it had launched an investigation into ‘the illegal dumping of waste’ on land in Bradford.

The spokesperson said: ‘Reports were received on Wednesday, July 1 about the illegal waste site on land at Midland Road.

‘Officers attended and estimated multiple tonnes of mixed household and commercial waste has been dumped.

‘They are following up several lines of enquiry to track down those responsible, and working to trace the landowner to ensure the site is properly secured.

‘They’re also working with partners at Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

‘The Environment Agency is also appealing for information from the public.’

Ben Hocking, area environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: ‘We have launched an investigation to find those responsible for illegal waste dumping in central Bradford so they can be held to account.

‘We are assessing the site’s environmental impact and making enquiries to trace the landowner to ensure the site is secured.

‘Waste crime scars communities and under our 10 Point Plan we’re acting quickly to tackle illegal activity and shut down sites.’

Cllr Ian Walker, Bradford Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and communities, said the council was aware and confirmed the EA are leading an investigation which they will ‘support’.