A once beautiful nature reserve in Cornwall has been transformed into one of Britain's largest waste crime dumps by fly-tippers. Trevoole Moor, near Camborne, which previously attracted tourists for its stunning lake, nesting birds, and beehives, has become a massive eyesore and dumping ground for industrial waste.
Local Outrage Over Destruction
Neighbours have described the transformation as a 'catastrophe'. The site was first identified by a House of Lords committee, which revealed a large-scale waste crime site last October. Recent photographs show piles of building waste, including toilets, pipes, concrete, and tyres.
One local resident stated: 'It used to be such a beautiful place to visit and walk. Now you just wouldn't go there at all. It is awful how they've destroyed the place beyond all recognition.' They added: 'Any investigation they do now is too little too late. The damage has been done.'
Wildlife Haven Lost
The site borders a public footpath and Duchy of Cornwall-owned Pendarves Woods. Another local described the wetland as a former 'wildlife haven' and said: 'It's an absolute catastrophe. I remember when you first visited the site, and there were beehives. Now you go there, and there are burnt-out sofas. It's unbelievably appalling.'
Locals believe around 15 acres of the 25-acre site have been dumped on, flattened, and then dumped on again over the past 20 years.
Environment Agency Response
The Environment Agency stated: 'We have taken action to stop large-scale deposits of waste at the site, including issuing Illegal Waste Stop Letters to the landowner, hauliers and operator. Our investigation is nearing completion, and we will take strong action against perpetrators of waste crime.'
Local Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George commented: 'I'll be raising this not only with the EA but also with ministers. As you'll be aware, there have been a large number of scandalous cases around the country where this has occurred and, shockingly, cowboys like these believe they can get away with it. It is vital that an example is made of people who flagrantly abuse the rest of society by polluting the countryside in this way.' He emphasised the need for much stronger action and powerful enforcement.
Cornwall Council said it was not involved in the investigation.
