Cannabis farm waste dumped in ancient woodland

More than four tonnes of waste from cannabis farms have been dumped across rare ancient woodland in East Sussex, a conservation charity has said.

The Woodland Trust said the waste had been fly-tipped in black bags at Brede High Woods during the last 12 months, along with growing kits and equipment.

The charity, which looks after the private land at Cripps Corner, near Hastings, said it had been forced to spend more than £2,000 on skip hire and contractors to clear up the mess.

Brede High Woods site manager Helen Osorio described the fly-tipping as "disgusting and relentless".

The trust said the site was one of the South East's most ecologically valuable, consisting of more than 260 hectares (642 acres) of woodland, grassland, heath, streams and ponds.

It is home to rare and threatened species including brook lamprey - a primitive, eel‑like species which is one of the UK's oldest vertebrates.

The trust said the site was also an important habitat for bats, badgers, birds such as nightingales, great crested newts and water voles, the trust said.

Osorio said illegal dumping posed a serious risk to all of these due to the potential for soil and watercourses to become contaminated.

"It's expensive, environmentally damaging and deeply frustrating for staff and visitors," she said.

"We're asking local people to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to the Sussex Police."

In addition, the woods have seen an increase in poaching and illegal vehicle access, with quad bikers and trail motor bikes causing "significant damage".

As a result, the trust has begun blocking unauthorised access routes, as well as installing cameras at key entry points to deter possible offenders.

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