The BBC reported earlier this year that 35,000 tonnes of waste had been fly-tipped in the wood – covering a 100 metre by 60 metre area. The waste is up to four metres deep in some places.
A letter from Matt Higginson, area environment manager at the EA, was published in a local parish newsletter this month (9 November 2024) to inform residents of Acumen’s appointment.
He said: “I am writing to update you on the plan to clear the waste that has been illegally dumped in Hoad’s Wood. The EA is making exceptional arrangements to clear the site following direction from the secretary of state to do so.”
Higginson added that the EA would be working with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and Ashford borough council to ensure all relevant environmental legislation is met.
The agency will attend a public meeting hosted by Bethersden Parish council on Friday (22 November 2024) where it will provide further detail on plans and timescales.
The project manager for the site is Andy Dellar, who can be contacted at ksle@environment-agency.gov.uk.
An EA spokesperson told letsrecycle.com: “The waste will be removed as soon as possible. Work needs to be done before that can happen, including building an access track for vehicles and plan for staff being on site.
“The sensitivities of the woodland mean we need to test the waste for what potential hazards might lay underneath, and while we do that, be very careful that we don’t harm the environment any more than it has been by shameless criminals who clearly didn’t care where they dumped the rubbish.
“Their only concern was making money from someone else’s waste and making it somebody else’s problem to clear up. But our criminal investigation continues and our aim is to put the offenders before a court.”
Ministerial declaration to clean up Hoad’s Wood
The contract comes after campaigners threatened legal action against the EA if it failed to clear the waste, with the fly-tipping problem first having started in 2020 and escalating in July 2023.
In May 2024, former environment secretary Steve Barclay issued a formal ministerial declaration to the EA to fund and carry out the clean-up operation.
At the time, the EA said that it suspects that the waste is connected to other illegal commercial waste sites across Kent.
An anonymous resident told the BBC in August: “We felt compelled to pursue legal action because of the EA’s delays and lack of a concrete timeline for clearing the illegal waste.
“The inaction led to 30,000 tonnes of waste being illegally dumped despite proactive community reporting.
“Following the ministerial directive, the EA initially aimed to use a framework contractor, which we believed was the quickest solution.
“However, the EA has now opted for an open tender, with an anticipated contract award around 23 September, four months after the directive.
“None of the dates are concrete, and without demonstrating our seriousness, we fear the EA will continue to delay the clean-up.”
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