Environment Agency raid over concerns about soil quality

The Environment Agency carried out a raid on an Essex farm with assistance from the police over fears that large quantities of inert waste were being deposited at the site, potentially damaging soil quality.

Collingwood Farm in Orsett, Essex, was targeted by the agency following a covert surveillance operation which raised fears that inert waste, believed to be from construction and demolition sites, was being deposited on the land.

Aerial photography provided by Essex police revealed that large amounts of aggregate material had been extracted from the farm and the holes left behind may have been filled with inert waste.

A 39-year-old man from Rochford was arrested and later released on bail.

Berwyn Williams, who led the raid, commented: "Construction and demolition waste must be dealt with properly by operators who work within the law to ensure that neither the environment nor the local community is harmed by the operation."

The Environment Agency estimates that approximately 80 million tonnes of inert construction, demolition and excavation waste is created in England and Wales each year.

Posted by Lauren Steadman