The Environment Agency has received a government mandate to remove thousands of tonnes of illegally dumped waste from Hoad’s Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest near Ashford, Kent. Campaigners have long advocated for the site’s cleanup since the Environment Agency closed its entrance in January.
Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for the Environment, has instructed the Environment Agency (EA) to provide biweekly written updates and continue doing so until all waste is cleared. Philip Duffy, the EA’s chief executive, informed Mr. Barclay that the cost of the cleanup would exceed initial estimates. He recommended allocating £15 million for the task, up from the original £10 million estimate, partly due to potential hazardous waste.
Health and safety risks, access challenges, and the need to secure the site against further dumping contribute to the increased cost. Approximately 30,000 tonnes of waste must be removed from the two-acre area, with some sections containing waste up to 4 meters (13.1 feet) deep.
Campaigners from the Rescue Hoad’s Wood campaign expressed their delight at the approved funding for clearing the landfill waste. They see this as a significant step toward restoring the natural beauty of the ancient bluebell woodland. Kent Wildlife Trust, one of the supporting charities, considers the news positive and hopes for immediate and effective action.
While the recovery process is expected to take over six months, the goal is to complete the work by early next year. The EA suspects that the Hoad’s Wood site is linked to other illegal commercial waste sites in the county, possibly connected to an organized crime group operating in Kent and beyond.
