More than four tonnes of “disgusting” cannabis farm waste has been “relentlessly” fly-tipped across one of the largest ancient woodlands in Sussex.
The Woodland Trust is urging the public to be on alert after it says a significant amount of waste was illegally dumped at Brede High Woods near Hastings over the last year.
Multiple black bags of soil waste, propagation kits, tubing and cannabis production equipment have been reported at the site at Cripps Corner, and an additional 20 bags are awaiting removal.
Helen Osorio, site manager at Brede High Woods, cited the financial and environmental costs as staggering. She said: “The scale of cannabis farm waste and anti-social behaviour we’re dealing with is disgusting and relentless. It’s expensive, environmentally damaging and deeply frustrating for staff and visitors.
“We’re asking local people to be vigilant, report anything suspicious to the police, and help us protect Brede High Woods from this ongoing criminal activity.”
As the site belongs to the Woodland Trust, it has a responsibility as landowner to dispose of the waste. The charity says it has already spent more than £2,000 on skip hire and contractors to clean up the mess, taking away vital funds from conservation projects.
Brede High Woods is one of the South East’s most ecologically valuable sites, spanning more than 260 hectares (647 acres) of ancient woodland grassland, heath, streams and ponds.
The waste has the potential to contaminate soil and watercourses, posing a significant threat to the rare and protected wildlife. This could endanger the creatures which the woodland is home to, including nightingales, great-crested newts and water voles.
The woodland is the only known UK habitat for rare flea beetles, which were previously thought to be extinct. It also contains one of the UK’s most ancient vertebrates, the brook lamprey – a rare, primitive and threatened, eel-like species that lives in the woodland’s streams.
Cannabis waste is not the only problem staff are having to contend with, as they have also reported seeing an increase in poaching and illegal quad and trail bikers damaging ancient habitats.
As the emerging spring season is usually a peak period for this type of vehicle activity, the Woodland Trust has begun blocking unauthorised access routes to help protect the wildlife and visitors.
Wildlife cameras have also been installed to deter offenders and help monitor ongoing activity in the woods at key entry points.
The Woodland Trust is working with Sussex Police to support any active investigations and members of the public are advised to report any suspicious behaviour to the Battle or Hastings police teams on 101 or 999.
