What a dump: Taxpayer to pick up the bill for mounds of rubbish fly-tipped in woodland

Huge, waist-high mounds of building materials, a bath tub, mattresses, a television, clothes, freezers, household waste and human waste have accumulated in four clearings in the woodland area near Chetwode Road, in Burgh Heath, in the past week.

Reigate and Banstead Council, which owns the land, said it was made aware of the fly-tipping on Sunday, May 31, at the same time as a number of travellers' caravans occupied another part of the heath - although it said it had no evidence to link the two events.

More rubbish has since been dumped and a metal gate on the site, close to the entrance way to Asda, has also been damaged.

One furious resident said: "The woodland site is an area used by children, dog walkers, residents and it has now become a no-go area because of the hazardous debris that is now there.

"It is an absolute disgrace that despite the authorities having been made aware that numerous offences have been committed... nothing has been done and the mess will cost the borough tens of thousands of pounds to clear up.

"It is devastating that tons of hazardous waste items have been dumped on what was beautiful woodland."

The council said it has no evidence of who dumped the rubbish or caused the criminal damage.

It said it is "looking into the best way to execute a clean-up once our investigations have concluded".

A spokeswoman said: "The cost of this clean-up is not yet known as the nature of the dumped materials and their safe disposal form part of our investigation.

"As we have no evidence of who has dumped this rubbish or caused the alleged criminal damage, it is likely the taxpayer will pick up the cost of the clear-up.

"This is unfortunate but without firm evidence our hands are tied."

A notice served to the travellers by the council, dated June 8, asking "unknown persons trespassing on Burgh Heath Common" to move on, was attached to a tree at the site of the fly-tipping.

The council spokeswoman added: "The travellers arrived on Sunday, May 31, and our joint enforcement team served them with notice to quit the site by 9am on Monday, June 1.

"Following a court hearing on Monday, June 8, we served the group with notice of a court hearing for possession which was to take place on Wednesday, June 10, but they have since vacated the site."

Banstead Commons Conservators, who manage the heath on behalf of the council, and local councillors, have been asked for their views on this but have yet to respond.

A police spokesman said: "Surrey Police received a report of criminal damage to a metal gate in an area off Reigate Road, Burgh Heath, which was reported on June 3.

"This is suspected to have happened between June 1 to 3."

Anyone with information should call Surrey police on 101 quoting the reference number 45150046544 or Reigate and Banstead Council's joint enforcement team on 01737 276300.