People claim refuse has been burnt each day for the past six weeks at a site off the A327 Eversley Road.

Thick black smoke has been seen coming from the hedged-off site, on land opposite the Penrose Park development in Baird Road.

The Environment Agency says it will enforce laws regarding commercial waste disposal, but said its investigations are at “an early stage” while the council says it will ensure the smoke is not bothering homeowners.

Residents claim to have seen commercial vehicles entering the site on a regular basis and plumes of smoke rising from the site at around 4pm on most days.

One resident said that from the thick, black smoke he had seen rising he guessed plastics were being burned, adding: “Whoever is doing this is not acting responsibly and this rubbish should be taken to a landfill site.”

Wokingham District Council confirmed it had received complaints over alleged tipping and the burning of rubbish on the site, saying the first complaint was made last month.

But people in Arborfield claim they have seen tipper lorries going to and from the site, and subsequent fires, for the past six weeks, and are frustrated by the apparent inaction.

One homeowner said: “It shouldn’t be happening and we want to know what’s going on.

“We’ve seen flames 20-feet high and it’s terrible when the smoke blows in our direction. We are also concerned about the health effects.”

Arborfield and Newland Parish Council have contacted environmental health officers at Wokingham District Council to raise their concerns.

A district council spokeswoman said: “The council is looking into whether the burning is creating a statutory nuisance which will involve assessing the likely impact on surrounding residences of the smoke.”

The district council has forwarded a request to the Land Registry to identify the landowner and has also contacted the Environment Agency which is responsible for licensing commercial waste disposal.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “We are aware of the allegation of waste being burnt on this site and we are at the initial stage of an investigation.

“We are working in conjunction with the local authority and will be making a site visit to find out who is responsible.”