Historic woods turned into 'desolate wasteland' by fly

Release time：2024-05-21 14:04:36 Source：Culture Compass news portal

Shocking aerial photos show the 25ft mound of illegal waste left at a historic woodland beauty spot by up to 30 trucks a day.

Officials launched an investigation after mountains of waste were piled around the four acres of Hoad's Wood in Kent, near Winnie the Pooh's Ashdown Forest.

Drone photos show that the area more closely resembles a landfill site than a wildlife sanctuary - despite signs at the entrance warning fly-tippers they are being watched and will be prosecuted.

The local Rescue Hoad's Wood campaign group - who say the beautiful bluebell forest has been turned into a 'desolate wasteland' - told The Telegraph surveys estimate 27,000 tonnes of waste needs to be cleared.

They added that the cost to do this would be around £10million, including taxes and contingencies, based on a quote from a contractor.

The clear-up of a historic woodland beauty spot where 30 trucks a day have dumped illegal waste 25ft high (pictured) will cost an estimated £10million

Officials launched an investigation after mountains of waste were piled around the four acres of Hoad's Wood in Kent, near Winnie the Pooh's Ashdown Forest

The local Rescue Hoad's Wood campaign group - who say the beautiful bluebell forest has been turned into a 'desolate wasteland' (pictured before and after the waste dump)

Piles of waste have accumulated in the woodland area, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the range of birds, insects and trees that call it home

A petition calling for an immediate clean up of the woodland has reached over 6,500 signatures and has been supported by TV presenter Chris Packham.

The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the range of birds, insects and trees that call it home.

Officials at the Environment Agency are working with Kent Police's rural task force and Kent County Council to catch the fly-tippers.

Councillor Barker said: 'GCwSPC is appalled by this shocking sight. It is disheartening that some individuals find it acceptable to mistreat this cherished land.

'Hoad's Wood should be respected, not tarnished by unscrupulous actions.

'The implications are morally reprehensible, posing a substantial cost to the community and causing profound damage to flora and fauna with lasting effects.

An investigation is underway by the Environment Agency (EA) as to who has dumped the rubbish around the four acres of Hoad's Wood in Kent

The plot failed to sell at auction, with an auctioneer from Clive Emson admitting there's 'a lot of fly-tipping in the area' for which they 'do not know who is responsible

'We are pleased that Kent County Council and the Environment Agency are already working on this but hope that it is removed quickly unlike other areas where it has been left as it is too expensive to remove at taxpayer's expense.'

One local, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: 'Honestly, I have never seen anything like it. It's disgusting. I went to view the four acres of land and it was stacked about 12ft high with rubbish. I think there are hundreds of thousands of tonnes of litter dumped there.

READ MORE - Fury after fly-tippers transform historic Hoad's Wood beauty spot into 'disgusting' rubbish tip with mountains of waste piled 12ft high 

'Someone needs to be held responsible for this and people need to be made aware of what is happening in our woods.'

A Rescue Hoad's Woods spokesperson told The Telegraph they feel as if the land is being 'poisoned' and the 'only way...you can escape it is by leaving your property and leaving the area completely'.

The plot failed to sell at auction, with an auctioneer from Clive Emson admitting there's 'a lot of fly-tipping in the area' for which they 'do not know who is responsible'.

A variety of birds breed in the wood, including nightingales, woodcocks, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and several kinds of tits and warblers. Moths and butterflies - including two nationally rare species - have also been well documented in the forest.

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency confirmed that a multi-agency investigation was underway into who was dumping the rubbish at Hoad's Wood, which spans around 200 acres in total.

A variety of birds breed in the wood, including nightingales, woodcocks, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and several kinds of tits and warblers

One local from the nearby town of Ashford couldn't believe what he saw when he visited the area of the woods - which was listed for auction with land and property auctioneer Clive Emson

The EA is working with Kent Police's rural task force, Kent County Council and other agencies to catch those responsible for turning the wood into a popular spot for the illegal dumping

Look at this ! It’s an ancient woodland & SSSI . Where is the accountability , where is the law , where is the respect & where is the understanding that we are now fighting tooth & nail for nature & everything matters . C’mon @EnvAgency and @NaturalEngland let’s get this sorted https://t.co/FTYmEhlLeY

— Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) April 2, 2024

'We are leading the ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal tipping of commercial waste at Hoad's Wood with support from Natural England, Forestry Commission, Kent County Council and Kent Police rural task force,' the spokesperson said previously.

'If you are suspicious of any waste crime, you can report it to us on our 24/7 incident number on 0800 807060.'

The county has become somewhat of a hotspot for illegal fly-tipping in recent years, with tonnes of rubbish also having been dumped on Sheppey Beach, which is also an SSSI.

In a letter to the Environment Secretary, charities urged the EA to quickly secure the funding required and restore the woodland.

An EA spokesperson told The Telegraph it is determined to keep 'one step ahead' of the fly-tippers.

They added that the agency is 'pushing forward' with investigations against those fly-tipping at the site. 

• Ancient bluebell woodland buried under fly-tipping will require £10m clean-up

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