Kent illegal waste supersite cleared after 15 months of work
A £15m clean-up operation has finished removing illegal waste from a supersite in Hoads Wood near Ashford, Kent.
Government funds complete clearance works
The Environment Agency-led operation began in June 2025 and removed 2,500 lorry loads of waste. Specialist contractors transported the material to a landfill site in Essex. This project marks the first time central government money cleared a supersite in England.
Criminals dumped massive amounts of rubbish
Thieves piled nearly 40,000 tonnes of waste into the ancient woodland over six months in 2023. The site is located on a Site of Special Scientific Interest known for rare plants and wildlife.
Concerns remain about future dumping
Campaigners welcomed the completion but fear criminal gangs may return to dump waste again. One organiser warned that the cleared area could become attractive to fly-tippers without further security.
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