£15m spent cleaning illegal waste supersite in ancient woodland
Authorities have completed a £15m cleanup of a major illegal waste site in Kent, which had been used by criminal gangs to dump 40,000 tonnes of refuse. While the site is now cleared, local campaigners and wildlife groups fear the area remains vulnerable to future fly-tipping.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing financial and environmental burden of organized waste crime on public funds and protected natural habitats.
Image source, Getty Images/BBC/Rachel Price Image caption, The Hoads Wood site before and after it was cleared of nearly 40,000 tonnes of waste
The clearance of a notorious illegal waste "supersite" in Kent has been completed after 15 months at a cost of £15m to the taxpayer.
The dump at Hoads Wood, near Ashford, which is on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) known for rare plants and wildlife, was targeted by criminals who dumped nearly 40,000 tonnes of waste over six months in 2023.
It was the first supersite in England to have central government money spent on its clear-up, with work at two other sites bringing the total taxpayer's bill to £26m.
The government said the completion of works on Friday showed "just how serious" it was about tackling waste crime and restoring affected countryside.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in