Nature conservation organisations have joined forces to urge the government to order an immediate clean-up of a historic Kent woodland.

KentOnline revealed in January how litter is being piled 12ft high across four acres in an illegal makeshift tip at Hoad’s Wood near Great Chart, Ashford.

An investigation into the fly-tipping on the ancient woodland, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is currently being led by the Environment Agency (EA).

But now, six organisations - Kent Wildlife Trust, CPRE Kent, RSPB, South East Rivers Trust, CLA and the Woodland Trust - have written to the environment secretary, Steve Barclay, for a government grant to fund the clean-up operation.

The groups are unhappy with how long it is taking the clear the woodland and want “action now” to sort out the mountains of waste.

An extract from the letter reads: “It was painfully clear that the EA prioritised ‘gathering evidence’ over and above the protection of a designated SSSI, using Hoad’s Wood, the wildlife therein and the local community as acceptable collateral damage.

“The illegal felling of the trees in preparation for the site in 2020 and the presence of a single digger preparing the site in July 2023, all of which were reported, should have been ample evidence a criminal act had been perpetrated against an SSSI.

“This should have resulted in an enforcement order that came almost four years too late.”

The EA has locked the site’s access gate off Fridd Lane and placed concrete blocks to prevent entry, alongside a warning notice at the entrance.

Anyone entering the land without reasonable excuse or written permission from the EA could be prosecuted.

In February, those living nearby launched a petition calling on the government to clear the protected land.

The Rescue Hoad’s Wood petition, which is calling on the authorities to take action, has now reached its initial target of 2,500 signatures.

A spokesperson for the campaign said: “Each day the waste remains, the more wildlife is impacted and the greater the health risks to the wider community. We need action and we need it now, I would urge Mr Barclay to use the powers available to him to sort out this mess.

“People can help us by visiting the Rescue Hoad’s Wood website and signing the petition, calling on those with the power to do something, to clean up Hoad’s Wood and ensure that measures are put in place to stop this happening again, here or elsewhere in our country.”

In January, a lorry with no number plates was caught on camera approaching the woodland.

According to those at TalkTV, who filmed the driver, the vehicle turned around after camera crews were spotted.

Moths and butterflies have been well documented in the wood, including two nationally rare species.

A variety of birds breed in the area, including nightingales, woodcocks, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and several kinds of tits and warblers.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s area manager Ian Rickards said: “The impact of this rubbish at Hoad’s Wood is horrendous.

“The waste is running to the water and it's yellow and stinking. It is then heading downstream, following the ditches and heading off further into Kent, polluting miles and miles and miles of water bodies. Ultimately, it's getting into people's food sources and rivers, into the stream and ultimately into the sea as well.

“That's going to be affecting aquatic life and it's affecting all of us too. Something needs to be done and the site needs to be cleared.”

Last week, nature expert Chris Packham also called for the immediate clean-up of Hoad’s Wood.

Writing on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “Look at this! It’s an ancient woodland and SSSI.

“Where is the accountability, where is the law, where is the respect and where is the understanding that we are now fighting tooth and nail for nature and everything matters?

“C’mon Environment Agency and Natural England, let’s get this sorted.”

In 2020, concerns were raised over giant oak trees being felled in another part of Hoad’s Wood, which in total is about 200 acres in size.

It is also where the body of 33-year-old Sarah Everard, murdered by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, from Deal, was found in 2021.

In the latest update from the EA, it said last week: “We are initially targeting those who deposited the waste to clear the site, and we are investigating a number of individuals and companies.

“A local company has approached us for permission to enter the site and quantify the cost of any clearance. We are currently considering this request.

“We are also assessing the nature, volume and potential environmental impact of the waste on local air and water quality.

“If you are suspicious of any waste crime, you can report it to us on our 24/7 incident number on 0800 807060 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”