Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the illegal waste at Hoads Wood, what plans they have to (1) restore the site as a site of special scientific interest, (2) secure the area to prevent repeat incidents of illegal waste dumping, including through the use of hardened infrastructure to restrict vehicle access, (3) implement ongoing remote monitoring of the site, and (4) ensure clear lines of accountability for its long-term management.

The Environment Agency (EA) is in the process of removing all the waste from the site as per the requirement in the Ministerial Direction issued in May 2024.

The EA, Natural England, Forestry Commission and other local partners, are working together to develop shared post-clearance plans for the site, including measures to support the quickest ecological regeneration and how to mitigate risks of and respond to any potential further illegal activities at the site.