MP condemns fly-tipping after incident near Aldbury

Liberal Democrat MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Victoria Collins, has condemned the ‘industrial-scale’ dumping of waste in a farmer’s field near Aldbury after what is believed to be three lorry loads of commercial and household waste were illegally tipped on private land.

The waste was dumped on a recently harvested field, with the steep gradient suggesting those responsible deliberately navigated heavy lorries across the land in a carefully planned operation. The cost of clearing the site is expected to reach £10,000, leaving Painesend Farm to foot the bill.

Larry Eaton, Estate Manager at Painesend Farm, said: ‘Someone has avoided paying the proper disposal costs by illegally dumping enormous quantities of waste onto our farm, leaving us to deal with the consequences and the clean-up bill.

‘This was not just a few black bags left at the roadside. It’s three lorry loads of waste dumped in a single overnight operation. The financial cost is significant, the environmental damage is considerable, and those responsible must be held to account. We would like to thank Dacorum Borough Council for their work investigating the incident and hope those responsible will be caught.’

Victoria Collins MP visited the site and said the incident highlights the growing problem of organised waste crime.

‘Sadly, this is becoming all too common. Criminal gangs are making huge profits by dumping waste illegally instead of paying to dispose of it properly, while hardworking farmers are left with the clean-up costs.

‘Waste crime is not a victimless offence. It scars our countryside and places an unfair financial burden on farmers who are already under pressure.

‘We need tougher enforcement and stronger action to stop organised criminals treating our rural communities as dumping grounds. I’ll continue to take this to Parliament to push for action.’