Ancient Woodland Finally Closed To Illegal Dumping After Court Order

ASHFORD, KENT - APRIL 9: Illegally dumped commercial waste covers a cleared area in Hoads Wood on April 09, 2024 in Ashford, Kent. Hoads wood in Kent is a 199 acre site of ancient woodland, and an SSSI (Site of special Scientific Interest) which is granted by Natural England on account of its diversity of flora and fauna. In 2020 local residents began to notice commercial waste disposal taking place on the site, and what appeared to be the felling of Oak trees to create a 4 acre plot for the waste. Despite reports to the Police, Ashford Borough Council, the Environment Agency, and Natural England and being the subject of a recent campaign, the site was only blocked off in January 2024, ‘to prevent further ‘illegal' tipping’. The closing of the site came following a court restriction order, obtained at Medway Magistrates Court at a hearing on 16 January 2024. After 4 years of illegal activity consisting of 20-30 trucks a day, allegedly many without number plates, tens of thousands of tons of waste now sit on the site, 12 feet high in places. Locals have suggested that the waste is creating hydrogen sulphide gas fumes and signs of leachate, highly toxic water, that is feared will seep into the River Beult, a tributary to the River Medway, presenting further environmental and public health issues. Pressure for the site to be cleared is mounting as the ‘Rescue Hoads Wood’ campaign gathers pace, with the recent backing of the Naturalist and BBC presenter Chris Packham. Hoad’s Wood is where the body of 33-year-old Sarah Everard, murdered by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, from Deal, was found in 2021. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)