Detling - Watchlist site 142

Illegal general waste tipping began at a site in Detling, Kent in the summer of 2022. In November 2022, the local authority issued a planning enforcement notice. More recently, the Environment Agency’s Environmental Crime team for Kent, South London and East Sussex received several reports of further illegal waste activity in May and June 2026. We attended the site with the local authority and police and obtained a Restriction Order in July 2026 preventing unauthorised access to the site and the further importation of waste.

The main problem highlighted at watchlist site 142 is the fire risk posed by the waste that still remains on site. Kent Fire and Rescue Service have carried out a fire risk assessment of the site for their site specific risk assessment in case of any fires at this location.

The Restriction Order we obtained in July 2026 is still in place, we have closed the site and we are regularly monitoring it as our criminal investigation progresses. 

We will continue to monitor the site, assess environmental risks, work with partners, including the local authority, the police and the fire and rescue service and take appropriate regulatory action, where necessary.

We have kept the local MP for the area informed following expressed interest.