The Environment Agency has completed a a clearance operation begun in June 2025 to remove illegally dumped waste from Hoad’s Wood in Kent, at an estimated cost of £15.5 million. The protected ancient woodland will now be left to recover, while a criminal investigation continues.
Almost 40,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste have been removed from a 1.6-hectare section of the woodland near Ashford in Kent, following one of the agency’s most extensive clean-up operations.
The regulator announced the completion of the work on 9 October, clearing the way for the further ecological recovery of the woodland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) recognised for its rare plants and wildlife.
The operation was led by the EA and carried out by Acumen Waste Services Ltd, with more than 50 specialist workers involved. The agency said the clearance marked an important step towards restoring the site, which had been targeted by organised criminals who deposited waste in piles reaching 4.6 metres high in places.1
Work began in June 2025 and involved approximately 2,500 lorry-loads of illegally-dumped waste. The total cost is expected to reach around £15.5 million.
Matthew Higginson, an Environment Agency area environmental manager, described Hoad’s Wood as “arguably the worst waste dump I’ve seen”.
He said trees had died and black liquid from decomposing waste had been entering the surrounding environment. The scale of the contamination, combined with the site’s protected status, made the clearance particularly challenging.
Specialists involved in the work included archaeologists and nature conservation experts, alongside waste contractors and environmental regulators.
Measures to encourage the woodland’s recovery included reopening natural drainage ditches, creating interconnected ponds in areas where buried waste had been excavated, and introducing tree foliage to help condition the soil.2
Recovery and restoration
Although waste removal has finished, the woodland will remain closed to public access while the affected environment recovers.
The Environment Agency has previously said the clearance project would include removing contaminated material from the woodland floor and assessing potential residual contamination through sampling and surveys.
In an April 2026 project update, the agency reported that monitoring of nearby streams and the River Beult had found no evidence of an impact on the river’s water quality. It also confirmed that the clearance project would not itself include replanting or wider site remediation, although discussions were continuing with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and local authorities about the woodland’s regeneration.3
The longer-term restoration of the site has been a concern for local campaigners. In June, countryside charity CPRE Kent welcomed progress with the clearance but called for a properly funded restoration plan, with clear responsibility for returning the damaged SSSI to a healthy condition.4
Criminal investigation continues
The Environment Agency began investigating the illegal dumping in 2023, working alongside Kent Police and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime. Three men have been arrested in connection with the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The Hoad’s Wood operation forms part of a wider government programme targeting major illegal waste sites, including locations in Wigan and Bradford.
The government has also announced measures intended to strengthen enforcement against waste crime, including increased use of drones, higher penalties for illegal dumping and expanded powers to confiscate assets obtained through criminal activity.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said the clearance demonstrated the government’s commitment to tackling illegal waste sites and restoring damaged environments.
However, the completion of waste removal at Hoad’s Wood leaves a substantial ecological recovery task, with the extent and timescale of the woodland’s regeneration still to be established.
Notes
[1] Environment Agency and Defra, “Illegal waste at Hoad’s Wood fully cleared as crackdown continues”, 9 October 2026.
[2] ITV News Meridian, “‘Appalling’ illegal waste dump in Hoad’s Wood in Kent fully cleared”, 9 October 2026.
[3] Environment Agency, “Hoad’s Wood – April 2026 Update”, published by Bethersden Parish Council, 24 April 2026.
[4] CPRE Kent, “Hoad’s Wood clear-up is almost complete… but now what for this SSSI?”, 24 June 2026.
