EA praises itself for shutting down suspected illegal waste site at Stapleford Tawney a YEAR after it was first made aware and took no apparent action becoming one of biggest in UK

ENVIRONMENT Agency (EA) chiefs have praised themselves for shutting a huge suspected illegal waste site a year after first becoming aware of it - which allowed it to mushroom into one of the biggest in the country.

An EA spokesman said: "In yet more forceful action, concrete blocks now guard the entrance to a field in the quintessentially English village of Stapleford Tawney, in unassuming stockbroker belt Essex.

"A court agreed the Essex land could be closed off, preventing more rubbish from being dumped.

"The Environment Agency’s criminal investigation continues at speed to find who was behind the dumping of construction, demolition and processed waste beside the motorway, near its junction with the M11."

Earlier this month UK News and Investigations reported how the former unauthorised traveller site had been transformed into a makeshift landfill site after two men were allegedly caught redhanded dumping waste from a huge HGV.

The pair were arrested.

We also told how the EA had been informed of the dumping a year earlier with next to no action before the police arrested the suspects.

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A 55-year-old man, from Horley, in Surrey, and another, 25, of Mullaghbawn, in County Armagh, were detained on behalf of the Environment Agency when Essex Police pounced on the site after a 999 call.

A local man contacted police when he became suspicious at the amount of waste he saw. He’d originally gone to help the men when their lorry got stuck in mud. Our officers also passed on reports from members of the public to Essex Police.

The EA spokesman added: "The lorry, two phones and a laptop were all seized, to be examined for evidence connected to waste crime."

Barry Russell, environment manager for the northern home counties at the Environment Agency, welcomed the closure order being granted: “I share the public’s anger at waste crime, where those responsible have no care for the environment.

“The restriction order means no more waste can dumped in the field, as the criminal investigation carries on.

“Closing off land is just one way the Environment Agency fights the scourge of waste crime. We will pursue anyone we believe is responsible in any way for shamelessly dumping waste illegally, and always put cases to court with the stiffest penalties in mind.

“Like the man who contacted police, if anyone has information that could help us investigate this site or others, please contact the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline, on 0800 807060, or CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555111. All information is treated in confidence.”    

The two men were bailed to return to Harlow police station on 26 February. They must not contact each other, transport waste, or be in a vehicle involved in waste management.

The restriction order for the site at Stapleford Tawney was granted by Barkingside magistrates’ court on 18 February, and will apply for six months. 

The EA will return to court if it needs to extend the order.

The agency says it has worked closely with police forces and other agencies to bring about several arrests in relation to waste crime and other alleged offences around England in recent weeks.

Since 2020, almost 200 people have been arrested as part as investigations by the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, a partnership between the Environment Agency and other law enforcement bodies.   

In 2024/25, the Environment Agency successfully stopped activity at 743 illegal waste sites, of which 143 were high-risk.

The EA was asked why it did not apply to the court for the shutdown in February 2025.

An EA spokesman defended its stance.

He said: "It’s a fair question, but we don’t have the powers to go round closing down pieces of land, even if there is waste on it – as, in many cases, it won’t be illegal.

"The waste in the M25 site was left intermittently. Different to other sites, where it the dumps can more regular. So, what do we do? Investigate the site, which we did, working with Essex Police, Epping Forest District Council, to assess reports, track comings and goings, or apply for a closure order we probably wouldn’t get, spending public money to do so.

"I believe a utility company was on site for some of last year, for routine work, so that also put off any potential dumpers.

"The investigation continues – with the lorry and devices being checked – and the two men are due back at Essex Police next Thursday."

We then asked if hidden cameras, surveillance or drones or aircraft were used to investigate the site during the preceding 12 months.

The spokesman said: "We don’t discuss site security and surveillance."