Shocking aerial photographs show the 25ft mound of illegal waste left behind by up to 30 trucks a day at a beautiful historic forest site.
Authorities launched an investigation after mountains of waste accumulated around the four-acre Hoad’s Wood in Kent, near Winnie the Pooh’s Ashdown Forest.
Drone photographs show the area looking more like a landfill than a wildlife sanctuary, despite signs at the entrance warning dumpers that they are being watched and will be prosecuted.
Local campaign group Rescue Hoad’s Wood, which says the beautiful bluebell wood has become a “desolate wasteland”, said The Telegraphh Surveys estimate that it is necessary to eliminate 27,000 tons of waste.
They added that the cost to do this would be around £10 million, including taxes and contingencies, according to a quote from a contractor.
Cleaning up a beautiful historic woodland site where 30 lorries a day dump illegal waste 25ft high (pictured) will cost around £10m.
Authorities launched an investigation after mountains of waste accumulated around the four-acre Hoad’s Wood in Kent, near Winnie the Pooh’s Ashdown Forest.
Local campaign group Rescue Hoad’s Wood, which says the beautiful bluebell wood has become a “desolate wasteland” (pictured before and after the waste tip)
Piles of waste have accumulated in the wooded area, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the variety of birds, insects and trees that inhabit it.
A petition calling for an immediate clearing of the forest has gained more than 6,500 signatures and has been supported by TV presenter Chris Packham.
The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the variety of birds, insects and trees that inhabit it.
Environment Agency officers are working with Kent Police Rural Task Force and Kent County Council to catch the tippers.
Councilor Barker said: ‘GCwSPC is shocked by this shocking sight. It is disheartening that some people find it acceptable to mistreat this precious land.
‘The Forest of Hoad must be respected, not tarnished by unscrupulous actions.
‘The implications are morally reprehensible, represent a substantial cost to the community and cause profound damage to flora and fauna with long-lasting effects.
The Environment Agency (EA) is carrying out an investigation into who dumped rubbish around the four-acre Hoad’s Wood in Kent.
The plot did not sell at auction, and a Clive Emson auctioneer admitted there are “a lot of encroachments in the area” for which “they don’t know who is responsible.”
“We are pleased that Kent County Council and the Environment Agency are already working on this but we hope it will be removed quickly, unlike other areas where it has been left, as it is too expensive to remove at taxpayers’ expense. “.
One local, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s disgusting. I went to look at the four acres of land and it was full of trash about 12 feet high. I think hundreds are dumped there. of thousands of tons of garbage.
“We need to hold someone responsible for this and make people aware of what is happening in our forests.”
A spokesperson for Rescue Hoad’s Woods told The Telegraph that they feel as if the land is being “poisoned” and that the “only way… to escape is to abandon their property and leave the area completely.”
The plot did not sell at auction, and a Clive Emson auctioneer admitted there are “a lot of raids in the area” for which “they don’t know who is responsible”.
A wide variety of birds breed in the forest, including nightingales, woodcocks, nuthatches, great woodpeckers and various types of tits and warblers. Moths and butterflies, including two nationally rare species, have also been well documented in the forest.
An Environment Agency spokesperson confirmed that a multi-agency investigation was underway into who was dumping the rubbish in Hoad’s Wood, which extends around 200 acres in total.
A wide variety of birds breed in the forest, including nightingales, woodcocks, nuthatches, great woodpeckers and various types of tits and warblers.
A local from the nearby town of Ashford couldn’t believe what he saw when he visited the woodland area, which was listed for auction with land and property auctioneer Clive Emson.
The EA is working with Kent Police Rural Taskforce, Kent County Council and other agencies to catch those responsible for turning timber into a popular spot for illegal dumping.
“We are leading the ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal dumping of commercial waste in Hoad’s Wood with the support of Natural England, the Forestry Commission, Kent County Council and Kent Police’s rural task force,” he previously said. the spokesperson.
“If you suspect any waste-related crime you can report it to us on our 24/7 incident number on 0800 807060.”
The county has become something of a hotspot for illegal dumping in recent years, and tonnes of rubbish has also been dumped on Sheppey Beach, which is also an SSSI.
In a letter to the Environment Secretary, the charities urged the EA to quickly secure the necessary funding and restore the forest.
An EA spokesperson told The Telegraph that it is determined to stay “one step ahead” of the dumpers.
They added that the agency is “boosting” investigations against those who dump flies at the site.
