Four tonnes of cannabis farm waste dumped in ancient woodland in Sussex
More than four tonnes of “disgusting” hemp farm waste was “brutally” blown into one of the largest ancient woodlands in Sussex.
The Woodland Trust is urging the public to remain vigilant after it said a significant amount of waste was illegally dumped at Brede High Woods, near Hastings, last year.
Multiple black bags of soil waste, propagation kits, pipes and cannabis production equipment were reported at the facility in Cripps Corner, with an additional 20 bags awaiting removal.
Brede High Woods’ site manager, Helen Osorio, said the financial and environmental costs were staggering. He said: “The scale of cannabis farm waste and the anti-social behavior we face is disgusting and relentless. It is expensive, damaging to the environment and extremely frustrating for staff and visitors.”
“We are 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 is owned by the Woodland Trust, as the landowner there is a responsibility to dispose of the waste. The charity says it has already spent more than £2,000 on container hire and contractors to clean up the mess and take away vital funds from conservation projects.
Brede High Woods is one of the most ecologically valuable areas in the South East, encompassing more than 260 hectares (647 acres) of ancient woodland pastures, heathland, streams and ponds.
The waste has the potential to contaminate soil and waterways and poses a significant threat to rare and protected wildlife. This could endanger the creatures the woodland hosts, including chickadees, great crested newts and water voles.
Woodland is the only known habitat in the UK for the rare flea beetles, which were previously thought to be extinct. It also includes one of the UK’s oldest vertebrates, the lamprey, a rare, primitive and threatened eel-like species that lives in streams in the woodland.
Cannabis waste isn’t the only problem staff have to deal with; They also reported poaching and illegal quad bike users causing damage to ancient habitats.
As the emerging spring season is often a busy period for such vehicle activity, the Woodland Trust has begun blocking unauthorized access roads to help protect wildlife and visitors.
Wildlife cameras have also been installed to deter criminals and help monitor ongoing activities in the forest at key entry points.
The Woodland Trust is working with Sussex Police to support any active investigations and members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior to Battle or Hastings police on 101 or 999.
