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Hoads Wood illegal waste supersite finally cleared at £15m cost

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www.bbc.co.uk

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Two aerial images side by side. In the left picture there is a forest with a clearing which contains piles of rubbish, and some areas of flooding. The foliage on the trees suggests the picture was taken during winter. On the right hand image is the same clearing but there are no longer piles of rubbish, there appears to be cut down trees and more extensive areas of water. The forest on the outside is green suggesting the picture was taken during summer.

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Hoads Wood illegal waste supersite cleared in Kent at a cost of £15m

Overview

The clearance of an illegal waste supersite at Hoads Wood in Kent has been completed after 15 months, costing taxpayers £15m. Criminal gangs had dumped nearly 40,000 tonnes of waste across the ancient woodland site in 2023. The Environment Agency-led operation removed 2,500 lorry loads of rubbish, while campaigners and conservationists express both relief and concern over potential future dumping and long-term ecological recovery.

Key points

  • The clearance of the Hoads Wood illegal waste site in Kent cost taxpayers £15m and took 15 months to complete.
  • Nearly 40,000 tonnes of waste were dumped by criminal gangs at the Site of Special Scientific Interest during 2023.
  • The Environment Agency-led operation required 2,500 lorry loads to remove the rubbish to a landfill site in Essex.
  • Campaigners and local residents are concerned that criminal gangs or fly-tippers might return to the site.
  • The Environment Agency has extended restriction orders and dug ditches to prevent trucks from accessing the area.
  • Conservationists note it will take decades for ancient woodland species to return, though new open spaces and ponds may attract different wildlife.
  • Three arrests were made in February 2025 as investigations into the illegal dumping continue.
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