Work begins to clear 'nasty' illegal waste dump
PA MediaWork has begun to address a large-scale illegal dump in a Kent woodland.
Authorities have closed the road running past the entrance to Hoads Wood, where an estimated 30,000 tonnes of household and construction waste - piled 15ft (4.5m) high in places - was dumped.
Ian Rickards, area manager at the Kent Wildlife Trust, told the BBC it was great to see progress being made to clear the site, but added it had been a "long, long time coming."
The Environment Agency said the public and businesses believed waste was being removed legally but it was then "shamelessly dumped" in the countryside.
It added it had tested the waste for rubbish that might have caused further harm to the area and had to ensure contractors had the credentials to remove waste safely.
Three people have been arrested in connection with illegal waste dumping at the site near Ashford.
A criminal investigation, launched in 2023, is ongoing.
'All sorts of chemicals'
Mr Rickards said the "most important lesson" was how to stop illegal waste dumping from happening again.
"It never should have happened in the first place," he added, warning that the activity was happening "all over the place".
Andrea Griffiths, director at CPRE Kent, said the clear-up would not be an easy job and would take an "awful lot" of time and money to sort it out.
However, it was a "necessary evil" to restore the "beautiful woodland".
PA Media"We don't even know what's in there," she said, warning it could be "all sorts of chemicals and real horrible nasties that have affected the soil and the ecosystem".
The Environment Agency said removal activities would start later in the spring, continuing through to late summer 2026.
The first stage of their plan involves transforming the existing track into a proper road to facilitate the removal of the waste.
They said care would be taken to minimise disturbance to residents and the environment while work is undertaken.
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