MP urges action on illegal waste site in Dorking

An MP has urged the Environment Agency (EA) and two Surrey councils to use their powers to clear an unauthorised waste site, after a final deadline passed on 3 September.

Surrey County Council (SCC) issued an enforcement notice over the land at Dorking West Station Yard in May, but there is currently still rubbish on the site.

Dorking and Horley's Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan said it was "deeply frustrating" that more progress had not been made.

The BBC has approached Surrey Recycling Services Limited, the company that was given the enforcement notices, but they have not responded.

The EA and SCC said their investigations were continuing, while Mole Valley District Council (MVDC), which owns the access road to the site, said it was exploring whether there were any measures that could be taken.

In separate letters to the three bodies, Coghlan said he noted that SCC - which issued the notice to Surrey Recycling Services Ltd - had since confirmed that it considered the site to be "substantially non-compliant."

He told BBC Radio Surrey that the land at Dorking West Station Yard is "dangerous" and next to a primary school, with "massive lorries going down the track".

"I'm writing again (to SCC) to use all their enforcement powers and I'm meeting with the area director of the EA to see what more they can do to enforce it as well," he said.

"Because it's obviously deeply frustrating if these agencies say these operations are illegal and then nothing happens."

Chris Crook lives in Dorking and is a member of the Green Party in Mole Valley.

He said that "with commuters there, people walking down the road towards the allotments and the bike track, it's just not the right place (for the waste site)".

He added that residents are worried about noise and air pollution and the potential impact on local water supplies.

"We've got no idea what's actually going into that site... there could be anything," he said.

A spokesperson for the EA said an investigation into the management of the site continues and that it was "considering its enforcement options."

"We share public concern about Dorking West Station Yard, and (that is) why we revoked Surrey Recycling Services Ltd permit earlier this year," they said.

A SCC spokesperson said there was an ongoing investigation being undertaken by the council's planning enforcement team.

They said the authority is reviewing what to do with the site and considering their options on enforcing the notice and how to resolve the situation.

Caroline Joseph, MVDC cabinet member for services and security, said the authority was "aware of the unsightly accumulation of rubbish at Dorking West Station Yard" and fully understood the concerns of local residents and neighbouring landowners.

"As owners of the access road to this site, we are actively exploring whether there are any measures we can take to support the lead agencies – SCC and the EA – to help them resolve this matter as quickly as possible," she said.

The BBC has approached Surrey Recycling Services Ltd, who have not responded, while Roman Skip Hire, which is based at Dorking West Station Yard, said the firm had been brought in to support and assist with the ongoing clearance and removal of waste.

Roman Skip Hire said they were working with the relevant parties to help remove the waste as quickly as possible.

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