Key facts
- The clearance of an illegal waste supersite at Hoads Wood, Kent, cost £15 million.
- Nearly 40,000 tonnes of waste were removed from the site.
- The waste was dumped over six months in 2023 in ancient woodland.
- The site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) known for rare plants and wildlife.
- This was the first supersite in England to receive central government funding for its clean-up.
- A total of £26 million has been spent on clearing three supersites across England.
The clearance of nearly 40,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from Hoads Wood in Kent has concluded after 15 months, costing the taxpayer £15 million. The site, an ancient woodland and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), was targeted by criminal gangs who deposited waste over a six-month period in 2023.
The Environment Agency-led operation involved removing the waste via 2,500 lorry loads to a landfill site in Essex. This marks the first time central government funds have been used for the clean-up of such a "supersite" in England, defined as containing over 20,000 tonnes of rubbish. In total, £26 million has been spent on clearing three such sites, including others near Wigan and in Oxfordshire.
Campaigners from CPRE Kent and Kent Wildlife Trust, who had advocated for the site's clearance, welcomed the completion but expressed concerns about future dumping. They fear the site could become a target for organised gangs and opportunistic fly-tippers if access is not adequately secured. The Environment Agency stated that access restrictions are being extended and ditches dug to prevent vehicle access, with a joint "trigger plan" involving law enforcement partners in place to respond quickly to future incidents.
Conservationists noted that it will take decades for the ancient woodland species to recover, though the creation of open spaces, ponds, and dead wood piles may attract new wildlife. Investigations into the perpetrators are ongoing, with three arrests made in February 2025. Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle affirmed the government's commitment to tackling waste crime and restoring affected areas.