My name is John Francis, and I am a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and the preservation of our natural heritage. I am part of the Rescue Hoad's Wood campaign, a community initiative dedicated to saving Hoad's Wood from illegal waste dumping.

We are potentially taking legal action against the Environment Agency (EA) to compel them to clear the 30,000 tones illegal waste from Hoad's Wood, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Kent. Despite a Ministerial Directive issued on 22 May 2024, the EA have not yet started to clear the site and have not committed to a concrete timeline for clearance.  Instead, they have delayed the process from using a contractor on their framework to an open tender process that will result in clearance not starting until 23 September at the earliest.  The dates in their revised timeline are classified as "anticipated dates" meaning that they are not committed dates.  Despite repeated warnings and the ongoing environmental damage, the EA has failed to act promptly.  Trees are now dead on the site and trees nearby are showing distress. Furthermore, landfill gases (including the rotten egg smell of hydrogen sulphide) are being released into the atmosphere and leachate is draining into local waterways. We need your support to ensure that this vital habitat is restored and protected now.

We are raising £1,800 to cover the legal costs of our first step: engaging Leigh Day, a renowned legal counsel, to write a formal letter to the EA and relevant authorities. This letter is a crucial step toward potentially seeking a judicial review if the EA fails to act. We need your support: please contribute and share this page now!

By holding the EA accountable, we aim to ensure that the EA commits to a concrete and immediate timeline for clearance of the waste from Hoad's Wood. This case is not just about one site; it’s about setting a precedent for the protection of all SSSIs and ensuring that public bodies fulfil their environmental responsibilities. Your support will help preserve biodiversity, protect local waterways, and safeguard the health of our community.

Our next step is to have Leigh Day send a formal letter to Matt Higginson at the EA, with copies to the EA CEO Philip Duffy, Steve Reed MP, and Steve Barclay MP. This letter will demand a concrete timeline for the waste clearance and serve as the first step toward a judicial review if the EA fails to comply.

We are raising £1,800 to cover the cost of this crucial legal letter, including VAT. This funding will enable us to take decisive action and ensure that our voices are heard at the highest levels. Transparency is key, and every penny raised will go directly to this legal effort.

Thank you for your support. Your contributions will make a significant difference in our fight to protect Hoad's Wood and hold the EA accountable. Together, we can ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations. Please contribute and share this campaign widely.