Swanton Lane site closed down by the Environment Agency after a restriction order was granted at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.
The Environment Agency has blocked access to the site on the northwest side of Swanton Lane, Sturry, near Canterbury to prevent it from accepting waste.
A court order is in place prohibiting anyone from entering or depositing waste on the site. The restriction order was obtained at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court to restrict access to the site at a hearing on 6 August 2024.
The Environment Agency has now blocked entry to the site and placed a copy of the court order at the entrance.
Anyone who enters the land without reasonable excuse or written permission from the Environment Agency or tampers with the lock or notice will be committing a criminal offence.
This order has been secured following the local community’s concerns and the environmental impact of the tipping of waste at the site.
Commenting on the Swanton Lane site, Matt Higginson, Kent and South London area environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: “This order has been secured following the local community’s concerns and the environmental impact of the tipping of waste at the site.
“We inspect the site regularly and we have had a regular presence to disrupt the illegal dumping of waste at the site.
“Working with our partners at Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council and Kent Police, we have conducted multi-agency days of action to disrupt those responsible for the illegal dumping of commercial waste.”
The restriction order is granted under the Environment Act 1995 and failure to comply with the order is a criminal offence. However, there are exceptions to entering the land for Environment Agency officers and other officials.
