AN illegal scrapping business could be operating out of a Leytonstone home, residents claim.

Those living in Argyle Road, near the Stratford border, say the two-bedroom house has been used to store and sell scrap since March this year.

They added that the street is often blocked by lorries and vans full of old white goods, preventing people from parking outside their homes and scrap material can be seen in the garden of the house.

Kevin Pearce, 40, a business advisor, said: “If they park close to another person's car, they will cause damage.

“I've seen five or six vans outside, piled high with stuff.”

Residents claim up to 17 men have been seen at the property at one time, stripping parts out of items such as refrigerators, washing machines and computers.

They also believe the effect of breaking apart the refrigerators could be damaging to environment as it releases dangerous chemicals.

“We've also seen bases from office chairs – about 500 of them in flat bed lorries,” Mr Pearce said.

Mr Pearce and his neighbours have also made a formal complaint to the council but no action has been taken, he said.

He added: “We were told the case is being taken over by someone new and it's at the bottom of all the other complaints.”

Residents of the property in question said they did not speak English but were able to claim the activity in the house was normal.

Sura Ahmedov, who lives in the house, said: “Nothing is going on. It's all normal. Just one car has been here for seven days.”

He was also able to explain that he does work with metal but could not confirm whether it was scrap.

The council has confirmed that the property is under investigation but offered no further comment.