Essex farmer faces £350k bill for fly-tipped waste clean-up

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 15:28 · Archive

A farming family in North Stifford, Essex, faces a £350,000 clean-up bill after 2,000 tonnes of waste were dumped on their rented field.

An Essex farming family faces a £350,000 clean-up bill after 2,000 tonnes of fly-tipped waste were dumped on a rented field in North Stifford between August 20 and September 3. The waste covered 102 piles across 16 acres off Arterial Road near Grays. The rubbish appears to have been processed at a waste treatment centre before being dumped, and is believed to be the work of a criminal gang seeking to avoid landfill tax.

Alex Sell, a fifth-generation livestock and arable farmer who runs a mixed beef, sheep and arable farm near Basildon with his wife Gemma, brother Ben and uncle Jonathan, said the situation was unfair. 'Seeing all that rubbish felt like a huge punch in the gut – it's devastating,' he said. 'Organised criminal gangs are wreaking havoc on the countryside, causing great damage to the environment, and getting away with it, while the victims are left with huge clear-up costs.'

The family is unable to avoid legal responsibility for the waste removal, and could face prosecution if it is not cleared. Sell said he has received quotes for clearing the rubbish in the region of £350,000. He believes insurance will cover the cost but warned it will affect their premiums for years to come. 'I believe our insurance will cover that, but we will be paying it off in premiums for the next 20 years,' he said.

The NFU has called for legal reform to protect victims of fly-tipping.

How it is being reported

• Farmer facing £350k clean-up bill after 2,000 tonnes of waste dumpedEssex farming family faces £350,000 clean-up bill after 2,000 tonnes of fly-tipped waste were dumped in North Stifford, as NFU demands legal reform for victims.Brentwood Guardian · 13 Oct, 15:00
• Farmer facing £350k clean-up bill after 2,000 tonnes of waste dumpedEssex farming family faces £350,000 clean-up bill after 2,000 tonnes of fly-tipped waste were dumped in North Stifford, as NFU demands legal reform for victims.Echo (Basildon) · 13 Oct, 15:00
• Farmer facing £350k clean-up bill after 2,000 tonnes of waste dumpedEssex farming family faces £350,000 clean-up bill after 2,000 tonnes of fly-tipped waste were dumped in North Stifford, as NFU demands legal reform for victims.Colchester Gazette · 13 Oct, 15:00

In this story: Alex Sell · Essex · North Stifford · NFU · Basildon

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