An investigation by Kent County Council is under way into another case of large-scale illegal waste dumping in Kent, described as “systematic destruction” of large swathes of countryside.
Piles of waste, mostly shredded plastics, are being brought to the site at Iwade, near Sittingbourne, by a regular stream of lorries, according to local residents.
It follows other cases of tipping at Hoad’s Wood, near Ashford, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and at Borstal, near Rochester, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
At this latest site at Raspberry Hill Park Farm, Iwade, pictures show what appears to be waste being tipped.
Residents living near the site say it has been going on for years and are calling for action to stop it. Waste disposal sites require a permit from the Environment Agency or an exemption from needing one, but the site in Iwade has neither.
According to Land Registry records, the site was bought in 2002 for £172,000. However, it has proved impossible to trace the owner of the site or establish whether they know about the operation.
The Environment Agency said an investigation into the site was being led by Kent County Council (KCC).
We shouldn’t just let these issues linger and run on forever to the point when it is impossible to turn around
A KCC spokesperson said “KCC is one of a group of regulatory bodies involved in the Raspberry Hill Park Farm site. The other principal parties are Swale Borough Council, the Environment Agency, and the police. The case is being handled on a partnership basis, with collective meetings and actions”.
Local people have said that they are worried to speak out for fear of reprisals, but say that the Councils reaction to the problem has been far too slow. They say the damage to the environment has already been done and everything the council does seems to take too long.
