Dozens of lorry-loads of waste have been left on the beach

A builder has defended his actions in dumping tons of waste at a beach, claiming it is to protect his home from coastal erosion.

Bernard Baldwin has tipped an estimated 100 tons of chalk over the cliff face at Pegwell Bay, in Ramsgate, Kent.

The retired builder said he was willing to break the law to save his cliff-top home falling into the sea.

But environmentalists fear the chalk left at the beach, designated a site of special scientific interest, could be harmful to birds nesting on the cliff face and to fish.

Thanet Council said it would be seeking to take legal action against Mr Baldwin because he had breached regulations.

Health fears

Mr Baldwin says he has witnessed two cliff falls in front of his house, which has also been damaged by fire.

He said: "This is my property, it's my land and I am trying to save it - and if this carries on it's going to be worthless.

"I don't think you require a licence for your own protection."

The chalk dust has spread to land on local people's gardens

Local residents said they counted dozens of lorry-loads of waste being dumped over the weekend, while the chalk dust has also covered gardens in the area.

They fear the fine dust could be a health risk and there are concerns over its impact on the sand and mudflats around the bay.

The area, which has extensive views over the River Stour estuary, Pegwell Bay and the chalk cliffs of Thanet, is popular with bird watchers.

Geologist Alastair Bruce said: "We've had a dump of chalk over the cliff here which has completely obliterated a section of the designated area of this bay, which is a site of special scientific interest.

Aggravate erosion

"We've had a swamping of flora and fauna and any features within the chalk itself have now been obliterated for a considerable period of time."

He said Mr Baldwin was naive to believe his actions would protect his home.

"This kind of dumping will impact not only on a temporary basis but will actually aggravate erosion," he said.

"It has made the whole thing more unstable and the use of a JCB up at the top probably fractured the chalk in the upper level."

Councillor John Kirby, the local representative on Kent County Council, said the dumping appeared to have been on a large scale.