Tonnes of waste clearance starts at Walsall Arboretum
Clearance of tonnes of waste has started at a Walsall beauty spot this week.
The works follow a notice from the Environment Agency to remove the material sprawled across a huge area at Walsall Arboretum.
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Walsall Council spread the soil, which has clothes, polypipes, glass and building rubble within it, to ‘re-profile’ the site, mitigate flooding and prepare for tree planting.
But officers were seen earlier this week clearing the waste after the Environment Agency ordered the removal.
The Environment Agency has refused to confirm whether Walsall Council has been issued a fine for dumping the waste, or whether it could receive a fine for non-compliance.
It has also refused to confirm whether or not the waste is contaminated.
The regulator said: “Following a report by the public our officers visited the site and identified those responsible.
“Using waste in construction and landscaping requires an environmental permit or a registered exemption to ensure imported waste is suitable for the specific project.
“No permit or exemption was in place at this site, and we are now making sure that they are removing all of the waste materials.”
A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “Works are currently underway in the Arboretum to mitigate flooding and prepare an area of land for tree planting.
“It has recently been identified that the material used to re-profile part of the site does not meet the required standard.
“Arrangements are therefore being made for this material to be removed, dried within a designated on-site compound, and disposed of by a licensed waste management contractor.
“These works will be completed as soon as practicable, taking into account the prevailing weather and ground conditions.
“Suitable alternative material will be sourced so that the project can continue to progress.”
