The Environment Agency received nearly 100 reports about a massive illegal waste dump in Gloucestershire, yet it operated unchecked for seven years, releasing toxic fumes from burning plastics.
Waste covers more than two acres near Over village, behind a popular family adventure park, with layers up to 20 feet deep. The site frequently self-ignites, sending acrid smoke toward the neighboring farm attraction and a nearby section of the old Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal.
Scale Surpasses Previous Records
This dump exceeds the size of the previous record holder in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, by at least ten times. Operations began in 2018, when up to 50 trucks daily from across the UK unloaded plastics, building rubble, and general refuse on the site.
Tens of thousands of tonnes of rubbish now pile up between the adventure park and the canal, prompting descriptions of industrial-scale fly-tipping.
Local Residents’ Frustrations
Residents report repeated complaints to police and the Environment Agency fell on deaf ears, though officials now claim dumping has stopped. Freedom of information data reveals 96 reports to the agency from 2018 through last month.
A local resident, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns, filed five reports via the agency’s hotline. “I provided names of those controlling the land, photos of them and lorries with company markings,” he said. “The agency insisted I testify in court to use the evidence, which felt like a brush-off. I even complained, only to hear a manager ask me to lobby my MP for more funding.”
Land Registry records list Sean Butcher of Witney, Oxfordshire, as the owner. A former neighbor described him as operating businesses in building and house clearances.
Highnam residents identify businessman Marshall Gorman, 45, who runs a local driveway firm, as the site operator. He faces council enforcement at another nearby location in Rudford for importing construction waste. Forest of Dean District Council confirms action against the landowner, also known as Oldham, for environmental breaches. Gorman’s planning agent denies the allegations.
Impact on Nearby Businesses
During a recent visit, pale grey smoke drifted from the site, irritating throats with noxious fumes. A spokesman for Over Farm Park stated: “It’s terrible. The biggest impact is on customers—the black smoke from fires billows across, and lorries threaten public safety. Locals know who’s responsible, but authorities have done nothing.”
Highnam Parish Council formally complained to the Environment Agency’s chief executive over inaction.
Agency’s Response
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We responded to reports of illegal activity at Over, and no more waste has been deposited. We’re partnering with local authorities and police to investigate community impacts. With drones, stronger collaborations, and more officers, waste criminals will have nowhere to hide.”
The agency describes ongoing investigations but provided no further details on actions taken.
