The end is in sight for residents living in the shadow of the stinking 40ft high Waste4Fuel rubbish mountain, with Bromley Council announcing a deal which could see the site finally cleared.

Over the past five years residents have repeatedly told of the “absolute hell” of living next to the eyesore, which has remained despite their vocal protests, meetings and even a High Court battle.

Today News Shopper can exclusively reveal an agreement has been reached between the government, the environment agency and Waste4Fuel’s owner to give ownership of the site in Cornwall Drive, St Paul’s Cray, to Bromley Council.

Subject to the contract and legal conditions being finalised, the council said it is set to acquire the site over the next few weeks at which point planning can begin to clear the dump.

With the Environment Agency securing the funding, the clearance work will secure the long term future of the site.

However Patricia Smith, 57, of nearby Bostall Road, said she was doubtful about the news after five years of living with the “absolutely revolting” stench.

She told News Shopper: “I’ll believe it when I see it.

“We have had five years of false promises.

“It is part of the landscape now, everybody jokes about it.”

News Shopper:

Unhappy residents who live near the Waste4Fuel dump.

Today's announcement comes almost two years after Waste4Fuel’s licence was revoked, but residents who hoped it would mark the end of the sage were left disappointed.

An eyesore and health hazard for the people of St Paul’s Cray, despite the operation closing there was no sign of removing the heap after a number of legal disputes.

Mrs Smith said clearing the site would be “wonderful”, but urged the council to carry out the work during the winter months.

“I just hope that they start this clearance when the weather is worse,” she added.

“It would be horrendous at the moment.

“We haven’t even been able to open a window.”

At its worse while the site was still in use, Mrs Smith said she was almost housebound by the smell which made her feel “physically sick”.

She said residents hope the site could eventually be used as a park or a nature reserve because of its proximity to the River Cray.

“It’s beautiful round the back of there. Behind that dump it is actually a beautiful spot.”

This time last year London Fire Brigade estimated it had spent close to £1 million tackling fires at the rubbish mountain.

News Shopper:

One of the many fires at the Waste4Fuel site.

Figures obtained by News Shopper revealed it cost LFB around £914,000 to deal with 233 incidents at the rubbish mountain from 2012 until August 2015.

Waste4Fuel was even forced to pay £8,960 after being prosecuted by the LFB for stacking flammable materials 12 times in excess of the size legally allowed.

Since then firefighters have been called out numerous times to the stinking pile, particularly over the past two months when the warmer temperatures sparks more blazes.

Councillor Colin Smith, deputy leader of Bromley Council, said they are “tantalisingly close” to owning the site after ongoing meetings with everyone from residents to ministers of state.

He said: “I have said many times, over many months, that Bromley Council would stand by long suffering local residents and get this disgusting heap of rubbish removed.

“I am absolutely delighted for them all, that we now seem to be on the very cusp of achieving that goal.

“There is work still to do, but once completed, we will then be able to state with absolute certainty that the site will never again be used in this way.”

Andrew Pearce, Environment Agency Area Manager for Kent and South London, said they are “actively pursuing” those responsible for depositing waste at the site and those who profited from it.

He said: “We appreciate just how difficult it has been for local residents and we are pleased that it looks like the site can soon be finally cleared.”

Have you been affected by Waste4Fuel? Have your say - get in touch by calling 01689 885721 or email jessica.bell@london.newsquest.co.uk.