Concerns raised as fly-tipping increases in South Heighton

Sean Macleod, independent councillor for Ouse Valley and Ringmer, said in the past number of weeks, fly-tipping in the area has increased.

“We have had five incidents in recent weeks and it is becoming concerning,” he told the Express.

“It is pleasing to see that the waste and recycling sites have since reopened but for years The Hollow in South Heighton has been used as a regular fly dumping spot.”

He said he believed the illegal deposit of waste onto land has increased in the village since East Sussex County Council introduced charges for certain types of waste.

Mr Macleod commented: “While I appreciate that ESCC has to raise money due to the lack of funding given to local authorities by the government, I am just getting the feeling that the problem is just being passed on to private landowners or the district council who are left to pick up the mess.”

He continued: “What I find hard in the ward I represent is that a large section of it is privately owned so when the district council or the county council talk about fly-tipping it doesn’t always feel like a correct representation on the scale of the problem.”

Mr Macleod suggested the county council implement a ‘pass’ for homeowners that allows two tip-run’s a year of any type of waste.

“This happens in other areas of the country and it works well,” he added.

“We need to see ESCC work with local tradespeople to make it more affordable to use the sites as currently, it is clear that a problem exists.”

In response, an East Sussex County Council spokesman, said: “Charges for disposal of industrial type waste such as plasterboard, bonded asbestos, soil, hardcore and tyres were introduced in October 2018. There are no charges for disposal of household waste.

“Fly-tipping rates across the country fluctuate from time to time based on national trends as well as local factors and we’re not aware of any evidence linking charging for industrial waste disposal to increased fly-tipping.

“There is never any excuse for fly-tipping, which is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine.”

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