A ‘RECLUSIVE’ man whose land has become an eyesore in a Yorkshire Dales beauty spot has been ordered to clean up his act.

Since moving in to Blea Moor Cottage, close to the Ribblehead Viaduct, near Ingleton, about three years ago, John Myerscough has accumulated scrap vehicles and waste which is seen by locals and tourists using the famous Three Peaks route every day.

Among the rubble on his land are two shipping containers, a caravan, five disused oil tanks, a small digger, a cement mixer, numerous tyres and wheels, and a huge pile of household waste including a sofa, two wardrobes and a television.

Passengers on the Settle to Carlisle railway, which runs right behind the property, get a close-up view of the mess and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority believes the land has an ‘adverse effect on the amenity of the area’.

Now it has imposed an enforcement order on Mr Myerscough, thought to be in his forties, on the grounds that the ‘untidy land’ goes against planning policy and if he does not clear up within three months he will face prosecution.

Peter Watson, head of planning at the YDNPA, said: “For an individual property it is one of the worst I have ever seen and it is in a very prominent location next to a walkway which is used by 100,000 people every year. It is a serious offence.

“It is in the Settle to Carlisle railway conservation area, and that is a very popular route known throughout the world. It is spoiling a beautiful view for people.

“For the past two years, we have been pursuing Mr Myerscough and have written to him and tried to talk to him on a number of occasions to help him with the situation, but he doesn’t respond. The problem has just grown over that period.”

Locals say Mr Myerscough, also known as ‘Hippo’, brought the shipment containers up to his land using a tractor and trailer via the bridleway, which was widened for maintenance track work.

He is said to be a ‘recluse’ and is known to have worked at a garage in the Dales, but left about two years ago.

Peter Handley, of nearby Gunnerfleet Farm, said: “You don’t really see much of Mr Myserscough really. Only now and again.”

Blea Moor Cottage is the only remaining building from three former British Rail work buildings, and was converted by Mr Myerscough into a dwelling.

Despite attempts by The Westmorland Gazette, Mr Myerscough was unavailable for comment.