A major clean-up operation has commenced after over 200 tonnes of waste was illegally dumped on St Oswald's Retail Park in Gloucester. The rubbish, which includes household waste, white goods, and asbestos, has been accumulating since February and is now buried beneath the soil in some areas.
Impact on environment and community
The fly-tipping has significantly affected nearby residents, wildlife, and the surrounding environment. Nick Green from the Environment Agency warned: 'You've got waste here that's going to be degrading not just immediately but also over a long period of time, so we would see impacts from this waste as it decays. It is a flood plain – so water will be getting into it, flushing through. We can't allow that to happen.'
Enforcement and clean-up efforts
The Environment Agency is collaborating with Gloucester City Council and police to clean up the two-acre site after months of enforcement action. The council stated that the landowner is a victim of the fly-tipping. A spokesperson said: 'Formal notices were served requiring waste to be removed, waste burning to cease and measures to be put in place to prevent further activity. Following the failure to comply within the required timescales, the council has exercised its legal powers to undertake works in default.'
Public urged to use licensed contractors
Authorities are urging residents to ensure waste contractors are licensed before handing over rubbish. James Dykes from Gloucester City Council explained: 'As you can see here – that is not what has been occurring. Residents have been employing companies that have been illegally depositing the waste at this site.' Anyone found handing over rubbish to an unlicensed contractor could face prosecution and financial penalties.
Crackdown on illegal waste sites
Mr Green added: 'It's really important that we demonstrate that illegal waste sites such as this are shut down, stopped and prevent the impact they have on the local communities. We are seeing these sites grow all the way across the country and seeing this direct action in partnership with Gloucester City Council and the police means and shows that these sites cannot continue.'
