Dear local community/elected member,
I am writing to update you on the plan to clear the waste that has been illegally dumped in Hoad’s Wood. The Environment Agency is making exceptional arrangements to clear the site following direction from the Secretary of State to do so.
I am pleased to advise that we have now appointed a contractor who will clear the site.
The successful contractor is Acumen Waste Services. Work will need to be carefully planned as there are several matters to take account of before the physical clearance can commence.
These include: • Ensuring the health and safety of the community, Environment Agency and the contractor’s staff • Minimising disruption to the community • Ensuring we comply with all relevant Environmental Legislation to protect the wider site. We are working closely with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and Ashford Borough Council to discharge all of our duties in this regard. • Carefully planning the correct and proper disposal of the waste and compliance with duty of care legislation both from the hauliers and the destination sites.
Working with our contractor, we are keen to ensure that there are no other risks and issues we need to take account of as we plan for the clearance. We will be attending a public meeting hosted by Bethersden Parish Council on Friday 22 November 2024 where we will provide further detail on plans and timescales.
The project manager for the clearance work is Andy Dellar and he will act as a point of contact for the community and for other stakeholders for the duration of the work. Andy can be contacted via ksle@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Andy will be supported by the wider Hoad’s Wood project team to ensure the clearance is completed in an efficient, compliant and successful manner. I know that you will be anxious to see the clearance commence, and I am pleased that with the appointment of the contractor the detailed planning for this is now underway. I will look forward to keeping you informed of progress and hearing from you if you want to highlight any matters that need to be taken account of in our final planning stage before clearance work commences. Yours sincerely,
Matt Higginson
Area Environment Manager Environment Agency ——————————————————————————–
PARISH MEETING
Hoads Wood
There will be a Parish Meeting under the chairmanship of Cllr A Boyd on Friday 22nd November 2024 at 1700hrs in Bethersden Village Hall to update everyone on the progress made to date with clearing up the mess caused by the illegal dumping of waste in Hoads Wood.
Present will be M Higginson of the Environment Agency and it is hoped our MP, County and District Councillors will also be in attendance. C D Tearle Parish Clerk
