Illegal dumping site closure extended by court

Land next to the Kent coastline where the illegal dumping of waste is being investigated is to stay out of bounds to the public.

Eastchurch Gap, on the Isle of Sheppey, was closed in June 2023 after shredded household and builders' waste was dumped there.

Magistrates have now agreed to continue restricting unauthorised access to the area for another six months.

Matt Higginson, from the Environment Agency, said the priority was "protecting the Eastchurch community and environment".

Anyone entering the site without reasonable excuse or written permission from the Environment Agency will be committing a criminal offence.

An access gate has been locked, with concrete blocks put in front of the site.

The restriction order was originally secured following local people’s concerns and the environmental impact of the tipping of waste at the site.

Mr Higginson said: “Specialist officers regularly inspect the land at Eastchurch Gap, in order to disrupt the illegal dumping of waste.

“Our criminal investigation into a number of illegal waste sites in Kent, including Eastchurch Gap, continues.”

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