Old Swarland - Watchlist site 133

Approximately 700 tonnes of mixed Household, Commercial and Industrial waste was dumped illegally at a site in Old Swarland, Northumberland. This site is now subject to a restriction order which prevents further unlawful deposits of waste.

The site, designated as watchlist site 133, can be seen from an adjacent road and appears unsightly. There have previously been fires on site but none recently.

The Environment Agency has installed barriers to restrict access to the site and prevent any further waste being dumped. There have been no further waste deposits on site. We are now prosecuting suspected waste offences and will take any further enforcement action necessary in line with our existing policies and procedures. Environment Agency officers attended Bedlington Magistrates Court on 21 October and the Court Order restricting access to the site was extended a further 6 months as a result. Officers from the North East area Environmental Crime team will continue to work with partners from the local authority, the police and the Fire and Rescue Service to monitor the site.

There has been both public and local media interest in the activities on site. We have kept them and the local MP aware of our actions by providing regular updates.