SIR – I live in south Hatfield. I have lived in this house since it was built. Hatfield was a nice place to live; we had good neighbours we all new each other and there was always someone to help if needed. But now that has all change. Houses no longer

SIR - I live in south Hatfield.

I have lived in this house since it was built.

Hatfield was a nice place to live; we had good neighbours we all new each other and there was always someone to help if needed.

But now that has all change.

Houses no longer have families in them but six or seven students who do not care about the condition of the properties, etc.

In essence Hatfield, especially south Hatfield, is becoming a slum.

People will not move here so when a house goes on the market the only people that will buy are landlords hoping to make a quick pound by turning yet another family house into a multi-let.

The persons who then eventually live in these houses either are not told what to do with there rubbish, do not understand or more likely do not care.

They do not recycle anything and the result is rubbish left for weeks.

I have been in touch with Welwyn Hatfield Council for a long time trying to resolve a problem; you will see by the attached photos, taken today, [above] the extent of the problem.

This is indicative of many properties.

The council is either powerless to do anything, could not care less or they can't be bothered to get up from behind their desks; whatever the reason, nothing is being done.

Hatfield should never have been allowed to be taken over by a university.

It is just not big enough to cope with the number of students, most of whom are foreign.

The university should have built accommodation for all students for however long they stay, instead of sports halls and a multi-storey car park.

Our row of eight houses now only has three occupied by families.

I have had to have pest control experts in three times because of rats due to household rubbish left in the back garden.

Raymond Carr,

Aged 78,

Hatfield.