Forest hit by spate of fly-tipping incidents

Ashdown Forest staff are urging people to check they are using licensed waste carriers

Multiple cases of illegal fly-tipping have been discovered at Ashdown Forest, with offenders dumping rubbish including glass, tin cans and plastic.

John Marland, who has a farm near Battle, said he often has to pay to get rubbish cleared.

The farmer, who is also a committee member with the Country Land and Business Association, said he had seen beds, sofas and drug paraphernalia dumped in the past.

Beth Morgan, head of engagement and development at the forest, urged people to check that they are using licenced waste carriers.

If waste is found fly-tipped and people are unable to show they took reasonable steps to prevent someone else dumping their waste unlawfully, action may be taken against them, a forest spokesperson said.

As well as harm to the environment, and potential prosecution, fly-tipping can cause harm and even death to local wildlife.

"All animals, both wildlife and our farm animals, all can suffer immensely if they eat the plastic bags covered in this cannabis that can block their gut and they can die a terrible death," said Mr Marland.

Ash Walmsley, the forest's head of countryside, said: "Broken glass, sharp metal, and chemicals can cause serious injury to wildlife and this thoughtless and dangerous dumping detracts from the hard work being done by our staff and volunteers to protect this rare and cherished landscape."

To help fight against fly-tipping, Ms Morgan explained: "It is easy to check that they are registered by initially asking for their registration number and then checking this with the public register.

"If they are unregistered or they have given you a false reference, there is a chance that your rubbish will be fly-tipped and could end up somewhere like Ashdown Forest."

People could receive an unlimited fine, a criminal record and up to five years in prison, Ms Morgan added.

The government said it was taking action to "clean up Britain and tackle waste gangs".

"Under our Plan for Change, we are tightening the net on gangs exploiting our waste system by helping councils to crush fly-tippers' vans, funding more Environment Agency enforcement officers and imposing tougher sentences for those who transport waste illegally," a government spokesperson added.

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