The Environment Agency (EA) has closed down a waste site in County Durham after reports of alleged illegal dumping on protected land. The EA said a court order is now in place prohibiting anyone from importing waste onto land known as Park Head Plantation, at Parkhead Estate in Wolsingham – in North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Access to the site is prohibited.
The restriction order was granted at County Durham and Darlington Magistrates’ Court on 15 July and will last six months. Breaching a restriction order is a criminal offence, warned the EA.
Alongside closing down the site, the EA has started criminal proceedings against those alleged to have operated the site and deposited waste on the land. These proceedings are ongoing.
EA has ‘taken action’
The action comes as the EA steps up measures on suspected waste crime as part of its 10 Point Plan, which includes expanding the use of restriction notices and orders to prevent illegal dumping. It comes just days after North East Bylines reported that the EA had served a suspension notice on a landfill site at Seaton Carew.
Gary Wallace, area environment manager at the EA, said: “Waste crime scars communities and the environment and in line with our 10 point plan we’re acting quickly to tackle illegal activity. This site is now secure while criminal proceedings are ongoing.”
EA advice on things people can do to help:
- check the public register of waste carriers before paying anyone to take waste away. If they are not on the register, they are operating illegally;
- landowners should ensure they check any empty land and property regularly to make sure it is secure. They can be liable for illegal waste dumped on their land;
- report suspected waste crime. Every report helps build the picture that enables earlier action. Report illegal dumping, suspicious waste movements or burning, unlicensed operators, or unusually cheap disposal offers to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the E A incident line on 0800 807060.
The source of this report is a press release from the EA.
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