The Environment Agency has secured a restriction order for a site on Haine Industrial Estate in Ramsgate following reports that it was being used to dump baled waste.
The Environment Agency officials found bags full of shredded waste when they carried out a site visit on 4th March. They then moved to obtain the order at Margate Magistrates’ Court on March 20 to shut the site down.
The EA has locked the site’s gate, placed concrete blocks to prevent access and put a warning notice at the entrance of Units 26 and 27 Leigh Road, Haine Industrial Estate.
This means anyone entering the land without reasonable excuse or written permission from the Environment Agency will be committing a criminal offence, as will anyone who tampers with the lock or notice.
Matt Higginson, Environment Manager at the Environment Agency said: “This order follows on from the successful Restriction Orders we obtained at Eastchurch and Minister on the Isle of Sheppey and at Hoads Wood near Ashford, and shows we will act against those who flout the law.
“We know illegal waste activity harms the environment and has a devastating effect on communities. Our priority is protecting the local community and environment. This order has been secured following the local community’s concerns and the environmental impact of the tipping of waste at the site.
“If people see or suspect illegal tipping of waste, they can report it to us on our 24/7 Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555111”.
Expanding the use of Restriction Orders is one part of the new Waste Crime Action Plan that sets out a zero-tolerance approach, with action to prevent waste crime at its source by closing loopholes and equipping regulators with the tools they need to stop waste criminals.
Waste criminals across England face their toughest ever crackdown, as the government and Environment Agency unveil a sweeping package of measures targeting illegal dumping, which includes strengthening the Environment Agency’s enforcement powers.
Under the plan offenders committing waste crime could be ordered to complete up to 20 hours of unpaid work cleaning streets and parks as part of new “clean-up squads” and required to repay the cost of clearing the waste they illegally dumped.
Defra and the Department for Transport will give courts the power to award penalty points on driving licences for fly-tipping offences. Litter louts responsible for the most serious cases could face losing their licence altogether.
