Illegal waste dumping is a growing problem, and it's happening right now in Kent. This isn't just about a few rogue individuals; it's a widespread issue that's impacting communities and the environment. Let's dive into the details.
An investigation has been launched into yet another illegal waste site in Kent, specifically at Basser Hill near Sittingbourne. This follows a pattern of illegal dumping that has been plaguing the county, drawing attention from BBC South East. What's even more concerning is that this site is just two miles from another illegal tip at Raspberry Hill Park Farm.
The Environment Agency (EA) is on the case, but the situation is complex. The Environment Secretary is expected to respond to a House of Lords report that criticizes the EA for not shutting down these illegal waste operations quickly enough.
Despite the BBC's previous visit to Raspberry Hill Park Farm over a year ago, dumping appears to be ongoing. The EA claims it is taking action, but the problem persists. Similarly, waste dumping was observed at Basser Hill during the BBC's recent visit, even though the EA claims it had already visited the site on November 24th.
Local representatives are speaking out. Kevin McKenna, the Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, highlights that this issue isn't confined to Kent, but is a national problem. He states, "This is happening all over." He also points out that while the government has allocated more funds to the EA to address this, more action is clearly needed.
But here's where it gets controversial... The House of Lords' report, published after an inquiry into serious and organized waste crime, revealed some troubling information. The EA told the Lords' Environment and Climate Change committee about six other large illegal waste sites across the country, comparable in size to Hoads Wood near Ashford, where a staggering 30,000 tonnes of waste was illegally dumped.
However, Baroness Sheehan, the chair of the committee, expressed alarm that the EA did not notify them about several other illegal waste sites, including one in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, and others in Wigan and Worcestershire, which have since been brought to light by the media. The EA has refuted these claims, stating that they responded comprehensively to the questions they were asked.
The EA has identified one of the six sites as being in the Sittingbourne area, but won't confirm whether it is Raspberry Hill Park Farm or Basser Hill. The BBC's investigation suggests it could be either. When the BBC attempted to get a comment from the landowner at Raspberry Hill Park Farm, there was no response. The EA states they have taken multiple actions to stop the illegal activity at the site, including site visits, multi-agency visits, and drone flights.
And this is the part most people miss... At another large illegal site in Kent, Brambletree Wharf near Borstal, the landowner has failed to comply with an order to remove the waste. Lauren Edwards, the Labour MP for Rochester and Strood, is angered that the EA has not brought a prosecution in this case. She's calling for a parliamentary debate on whether the EA has sufficient powers to tackle the issue effectively. The EA reports that the land near Borstal has been sold, although this is not yet confirmed on the Government's Land Registry website. The EA is working with Medway Council on the illegal waste dumping at Brambletree Wharf, and they plan to speak with the new landowner to arrange for the waste to be removed.
Despite the challenges, the EA reported that last year they stopped 743 illegal waste sites, secured 13 prosecutions against waste criminals resulting in £133,000 in fines and six custodial sentences.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think the EA is doing enough? Share your opinions in the comments below!
