Waste site at Severnside Farm, Gloucester shut down

The Environment Agency secured a Restriction Order for Severnside Farm on August 12 as part of efforts to combat waste crime and protect the environment.

The order, which lasts for six months, followed a joint operation involving the Environment Agency, Gloucester City Council, and Gloucester Police, which took place on July 22 and 23.

Nick Green, area environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: "The criminals involved in dumping this waste have caused misery for the community and the environment.

"This order shows we are doing everything to stop the reckless illegal handling and disposal of waste.

A court has banned anyone from entering or dumping waste at Severnside Farm, Gloucester (Image: Environment Agency)

"Working with our partners we’ve shut down the site and secured it while criminal investigations continue."

As part of the operation, 84 concrete blocks were installed to prevent further illegal dumping.

Under the order, it is now a criminal offence to enter the site or deposit waste there.

The Environment Agency said it will continue to monitor the site and take further action if needed.

It is also encouraging the public to report any information about these offences to its incident hotline.

Mr Green said: "Communities are also our partners in this, acting as our eyes and ears.

"Reporting information to us as soon as possible means we can take swift action to intervene."

James Dykes, enforcement and regulation manager at Gloucester City Council, said the order sends a clear message.

Mr Dykes said: "Illegal waste activity causes significant harm to local communities.

"We want to send a clear message that Gloucester City Council will not hesitate from taking robust and appropriate action against those responsible."

Inspector James O'Neill, from the Gloucester neighbourhood policing team, said: "We are committed to working with partners such as Gloucester City Council and the Environment Agency to tackle the illegal dumping of waste.

"We will take robust action against anyone who engages in illegal fly tipping as it blights our communities and presents health risks for residents."

Anyone with information about illegal dumping at the site is urged to call the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.