Current location:Culture Canvas news portal > business
Historic woods turned into 'desolate wasteland' by fly
Culture Canvas news portal2024-05-21 07:03:31【business】1People have gathered around
IntroductionShocking aerial photos show the 25ft mound of illegal waste left at a historic woodland beauty spot
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
‹ Slide me ›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
Advertisement'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.
Read more:- Ancient bluebell woodland buried under fly-tipping will require £10m clean-up
Address of this article:http://togo.olivelawfirm.net/news-68d799187.html
Address of this article:http://togo.olivelawfirm.net/news-68d799187.html
Very good!(823)
Related articles
- Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
- St. John's Chris Ledlum and Jordan Dingle suing NCAA for denying them 2024
- Kendall Jenner puts on a cheeky display in flesh
- Rodeo bullfighter wrangles three zebras on the loose in Washington
- Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
- Eric Church DOUBLES DOWN on Stagecoach gospel headlining set
- Armed men storm a hospital in central Mexico, killing a patient
- US House votes to remove wolves from endangered list in 48 states
- The Latest
- Rangers' Max Scherzer scratched from 2nd scheduled rehab start because of sore thumb
Popular articles
Recommended
Yvette Fielding says her Most Haunted co
Alabama lawmakers propose compromise on gambling bill with lottery, electronic wagering machines
Cynthia Erivo dazzles in black and white dress at the 49th Chaplin Awards ceremony in New York City
Former MVP Mike Trout needs surgery on torn meniscus
Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world
House Republicans launch investigation into federal funding for universities amid campus protests
US House votes to remove wolves from endangered list in 48 states
Some North Carolina abortion pill restrictions are unlawful, federal judge says
Links
- China's stocks snap 8
- It's the first drug shown to slow Alzheimer's. Why is is it off to a slow start?
- Chinese brands top Israel's electric car sales in Jan.
- China In Perspective: Confidence, certainty and potential behind China's 2024 growth target
- China pledges proactive fiscal policy, prudent monetary policy in 2024
- China's industrial profits up 10.2 pct in first 2 months
- Owners of Crooked House agree to rebuild Britain's wonkiest pub after it burned down
- China sees robust recovery, vigorous growth in cultural, tourism industries: minister
- China's rural policy bank to increase financial support for rural revitalization
- Chinese brands top Israel's electric car sales in Jan.