Campaigners rejoice as Secretary of State orders a clean-up of Hoad’s Wood

Conservationists say they are delighted a mass clean-up operation at a Site of Special Scientific Interest that lies buried beneath a mountain of illegally dumped waste has been ordered. 

Hoad’s Wood, near Ashford hit the headlines after organised criminals disposed of tonnes of processed rubbish at the wildlife haven. The site was illegally felled in 2020, and then in July 2023 residents reported lorries dumping truckloads of waste at the Bluebell woodland. The activity finally stopped in January 2024 when the Environment Agency blocked off the site and imposed an enforcement order preventing access. 

Since then, campaigners have been calling for a clean-up of the area, which is estimated to cover around four acres of land and stands up to 25ft high in places. Locals have raised concerns for their health with the stench from the waste being commented on by journalists reporting the story from the woodland. Wildlife experts raised concerns over the runoff from the tip which was trickling into the network of ditches that connect to the River Beult. 

In April, Kent Wildlife Trust, RSPB, The Woodland Trust, South East Rivers Trust, CPRE Kent, the CLA and the Rescue Hoad’s Wood campaign wrote to the Secretary of State, Steve Barclay asking that he used his powers to release emergency funds to begin an urgent clean-up operation. On 3rd May MP Robbie Moore replied on behalf of Mr Barclay stating that delivery plans have been requested from the Environment Agency to resolve the situation. The matter was also raised in the House of Lords by Earl Russell. 

Campaigners from the Rescue Hoad’s Wood group, say that contractors have quoted the clean-up operation will cost £10m and today they welcomed the news that emergency funds had been secured to allow the clean-up to take place. 

On 23rd May, a Ministerial Direction was published on the government’s website ordering a clean-up of the woodland. The order states that the cost of the operation would fall on the EA, against the suggestion of campaign groups that the funds should be released from the treasury. In a letter from Phillip Duffey, Chief Executive of the EA to the Secretary of State on 21st May, Mr Duffy suggests these funds will be, in part, found from the floods capital programme. 

A spokesman for the Rescue Hoad’s Wood campaign said: "We are thrilled to hear that the funding required to clear the 30,000 tonnes of illegally dumped landfill waste from Hoad’s Wood is now approved.  This marks a significant step forward in our efforts to restore the natural beauty of this ancient bluebell woodland.  We eagerly anticipate the swift completion of the cleanup operation so the recovery process can commence.  Additionally, we also look forward to a comprehensive investigation into local and national authorities’ inaction, which allowed this environmental catastrophe to occur, despite our community’s diligent reporting.  We hope this will prevent similar incidents in the future, safeguarding treasured sites like Hoad’s Wood.” 

“We’d like to thank the CLA, CPRE Kent, Kent Wildlife Trust, RSPB, South East Rivers Trust, The Woodland Trust for supporting and endorsing our campaign.  Also, a special thanks to Chris Packham and Paul Powlesland of Lawyers for Nature for amplifying our demands for the cleanup and the 10,000 plus people who signed our petition. It is wonderful to have your backing.” 

Area Manager for Kent Wildlife Trust, one of the charities supporting the campaign, Ian Rickards said: “This is positive news, and we hope it is followed up by immediate and effective action. I won’t go as far as to say this is a win for nature, as what has happened in this woodland is devastating, but it is the first step towards seeing the recovery of Hoad’s Wood.”