The Environment Agency has enforced a temporary closure of a waste site at Park Head Plantation, part of the Parkhead Estate in Wolsingham, after receiving reports of illegal dumping on land within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A magistrates' court has issued a Restriction Order that prevents further importation of waste and blocks access to the site for the next six months.
Court order and enforcement action
The Restriction Order was granted at County Durham and Darlington Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 15 July and makes it a criminal offence to breach the terms. The Environment Agency says earlier enforcement requiring the removal of dumped material was ignored, prompting the court application. The agency has also opened criminal proceedings against those alleged to have operated the site and deposited waste; those proceedings are ongoing.
Why it matters locally
The closure affects a parcel of land inside a nationally protected landscape. Illegal waste activity can damage habitats, reduce public enjoyment of the countryside and create costs and liabilities for landowners. The Environment Agency has framed the action as part of a wider drive to tackle suspected waste crime under its 10 Point Plan, which includes greater use of restriction notices and orders.
How residents and landowners can help
- Check the public register of waste carriers before paying anyone to remove waste.
- Regularly inspect empty land and property to ensure they are secure.
- Report suspected waste crime, suspicious waste movements or unlicensed operators to the relevant hotlines.
"We've taken action to shut down this site after reports illegal waste dumping was continuing. Waste crime scars communities and the environment and in line with our 10 point plan we're acting quickly to tackle illegal activity. This site is now secure while criminal proceedings are ongoing."
The agency has published contact routes for the public. Residents can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the Environment Agency incident line on 0800 807060 to report illegal dumping, burning or unusually cheap disposal offers. The authority also advises landowners they may be liable for waste dumped on their property if they do not take reasonable steps to secure it.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Park Head Plantation, Parkhead Estate, Wolsingham |
| Order type | Restriction Order |
| Issued at | County Durham & Darlington Magistrates' Court |
| Duration | Six months |
Local authorities, landowners and community groups will now be watching the criminal proceedings closely. The case underlines ongoing concerns about waste crime in rural parts of County Durham and the pressure such activity places on enforcement resources and protected landscapes.
