The Environment Agency has launched an investigation into a huge illegal waste site that continues to grow causing a blot on the landscape.

Basser Hill, near Sittingbourne, Kent, has joined a growing number of massive illegal dumping grounds decimating nature and the countryside.

The Environment Agency (EA) is now investigating the site - which is filled with mixed waste, construction debris and potentially hazardous materials.

The site is just two miles away from another illegal tip at Raspberry Hill Park Farm.

Other nearby dumping areas include Brambletree Wharf in Medway, and sites around Ashford and Hoads Wood.

The House of Lords' Environment and Climate Change Committee recently released a report expressing extreme concern over the scope of illegal waste sites - which included many not previously disclosed.

Baroness Sheehan, the chair of the committee, said she was "alarmed" the EA had not informed them about the 'mountain' of waste sites in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, Wigan and Worcestershire."

The EA has called the claims "inaccurate" and said it "responded comprehensively" to the questions it was asked - according to the BBC."

But locals have been left 'furious' and 'devastated' by the continuous appearance of illegal waste sites.

Many have called the dumping 'disgusting', and some have reported black smoke burning from the Basser Hill site 'for years'.

A volunteer at nearby Sittingbourne animal sanctuary 'The Happy Pants Ranch', said: "I have seen black smoke - the colour of burning - coming from the hill late at night in the summer time."

Amey, who runs the sanctuary, took to social media and wrote:

"Another huge illegal waste dumping ground near the sanctuary that is STILL being tipped at!"

"And they say we are damaging the natural habitat? Picking on easy targets it seems. They've got their focus all wrong that's for sure."

Another local said: "The MP has been contacted before about this - but things seem to be getting worse!"

Kevin McKenna, Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, told the BBC that sites are not only appearing in Kent, but all across the country.

He told the BBC: "This is happening all over. The Government has given more money to the EA specifically to tackle this, but we clearly need to do more. "

"It really is a disgrace on the nation."

The EA has confirmed Basser Hill site is one illegal waste site it is investigating.

Specialist environmental crime officers visited the site on 24 November and met with the landowner - who was instructed to stop accepting waste and to clear the illegally deposited waste on site.

An EA spokesperson said: "Our investigation to bring the shameless people who dumped waste at Hoads Wood and other sites in Kent before a court continues. "

"The arrests in February remain very much part of that work. Specialist environmental crime officers are working flat out to bring the perpetrators to justice."

"We share the public's anger on waste crime. Beautiful woodland spoiled by people who don't care about that. "

"It's just about making money. We will seek to claim any money back from the offenders."





"We work with various agencies on combatting waste crime, but we also welcome any information that helps catch and convict the people behind it. "

"All reports will be treated in confidence. The public can either call the Environment Agency's 24-hour incident hotline, 0800 807060, or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111."

The EA have stated it delivered on their commitment to tackle waste crime in the country by stopping 743 illegal waste sites, securing 13 prosecutions against waste criminals resulting in £133k fines and six custodial sentences and accepting 51 enforcement undertakings to a value of £7.8 million.

It added its support for the Government's waste reforms to prevent crime including the introduction of digital waste tracking, tighter controls on waste carriers and brokers and use of waste exemptions registration - which uses a number of tactics to tackle waste crime, including covert operations, drone cameras, road stops and site visits.