A historic wildlife haven has been turned into a “disgusting” rubbish tip with piles of rubbish up to 12ft high and the cost of cleaning up could be as high as $10m, it has been revealed.
Hoad’s Wood in Kent has become a popular spot for illegal dumping of commercial waste, despite signs at the entrance warning illegal dumpers that they are being watched and will be prosecuted.
The site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its large number of birds, insects and trees.
However, photos taken over the past few months show the area now resembles more of a landfill than a wildlife sanctuary.
The Environment Agency (EA) has been working with Kent Police’s Rural Task Force to catch those dumping rubbish, but no one has yet been charged.
Hoad’s Wood in Kent has become a popular spot for illegal dumping of commercial waste.Pictured: The scene on Friday, April 19
Historic wildlife haven turned into ‘disgusting’ dump with rubbish piled up to 12ft tall and cleaning costs could be as high as 10m
The site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its abundance of birds, insects and trees
Now, EA believes the cleanup could cost as much as $10m.
Earlier this month, BBC naturalist and presenter Chris Packham accused authorities of allowing the situation to worsen and called on the Environment Agency and Natural England to “solve” the mess.
Locals say it not only looks bad but smells like “rotten eggs”.
Oliver Leonard said: “I had seen dozens of photos of mountains of rubbish, but nothing could have prepared me for what was lurking in the woods.
“The air was filled with the stench of rotten eggs. I felt like I was slowly being poisoned with every breath I took.
“This is a sickening reminder of the illegal activity that continues to plague this once peaceful woodland.”
One Ashford resident added: “Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s absolutely disgusting.
Piles of waste have accumulated in the woodland area, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its abundance of birds, insects and trees
The BBC’s Chris Packham (pictured) slams authorities for allowing situation to worsen
This woodland was once a beautiful attraction but has been damaged by illegal dumping
The crisis worsens despite signs at the entrance warning flyers they are being watched and will be prosecuted
Photos taken over the past few months show the area now resembles more of a landfill than a wildlife sanctuary
Fridges and other items left in illegally dumped commercial waste
Now, the Environment Agency believes the cleanup could cost up to $10 million
Contaminated water covers forest floor from illegally dumped waste
A metal container lies amid a mountain of illegally dumped waste
“I went to look at the four acres and it was covered in trash about 12 feet high.
“I think hundreds of thousands of tons of garbage were dumped there.
“Someone needs to be held accountable and people need to be educated on what’s happening in our forests.”
The waste also has the potential to flow into water and contaminate food sources for humans and animals.
A campaign launched by locals to save the space has already surpassed its original target of 2,500 signatures.
The land was put up for auction but not sold.
Auctioneer Clive Emson admitted there was “a lot of illegal dumping in the area” and they “had no idea who was responsible”.
The auctioneer was also unable to reveal who owns the area currently being investigated.
Drone footage of Hoad’s Wood in Kent, filled with mountains of commercial waste
Sign at the entrance to Hodder Forest warns trespassers of illegal dumping
Locals say it not only looks bad but smells like “rotten eggs”
Locals previously launched a campaign to save the space, which has already surpassed its original target of 2,500 signatures
These wastes may also flow into water and contaminate food sources for humans and animals.
One member of the Rescue Hoad’s Wood campaign group, who asked not to be named, said: “I was at a meeting last Thursday and the EA said it could cost up to $10 million to clean up the rubbish.”
Hoad’s Wood is famous for its variety of wildlife, including nightingales, chickadees, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers, and several forest-dwelling chickadees and warblers.
Moths and butterflies – including two nationally rare species – are also well documented in the area.
Packham called on his followers to help campaign for something to be done about the former beauty spot.
He wrote on
“Come on, Environment Agency and Natural England, let’s fix this.”
Hoad’s Wood is famous for its diverse wildlife, including nightingales, chickadees, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers, and several forest-dwelling chickadees and warblers.
An Environment Agency spokesman confirmed a multi-agency investigation was underway into who dumped the rubbish.
Moths and butterflies (including two nationally rare species) have also been recorded in the area
In recent years, Kansas has become a hotspot for illegal dumping
An Environment Agency spokesman confirmed a multi-agency investigation was underway into who dumped rubbish at Hoad’s Wood, which covers about 200 acres.
A spokesman said: “With support from Natural England, the Forestry Commission, Kent County Council and Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, we are leading an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal dumping of commercial waste in Holdwood.”
“If you suspect any waste crime you can report it to us on our 24/7 incident number 0800 807060.”
In 2021, the body of 33-year-old Sarah Everard was also found in Hoad’s Wood, killed by Metropolitan Police Officer Wayne Cousens, of Deal, Kent. Wayne Couzens) murdered.
The county has become a hotspot for illegal dumping in recent years, with tonnes of rubbish also being dumped on Sheppey Beach, which is also an SSSI.
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