Work is underway to clear thousands of tonnes of illegal waste dumped in an ancient woodland, as investigations continue.

Hoads Wood, a beauty spot near Great Chart, Ashford, was described as an “environmental disaster” by residents after it was buried under landfill waste.

The Environment Agency (EA) began a criminal investigation in 2023 after 30,000 tonnes of household and construction waste, piled 15 feet high in places, was dumped.

A court order has also been secured banning unauthorised access to the wood, which is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a specialist firm has been hired to remove the waste.

In February the EA said three men, two from the Isle of Sheppey, aged 44 and 62, and a third man, 41, from Sittingbourne, had been arrested in connection with the dumped waste.

After the latest pictures showing the clear-up operation, an EA spokeswoman said: “Waste crime is toxic and causes widespread and significant harm to people, places, the environment and the economy.

“Our criminal investigation at Hoads Wood is ongoing and we will make sure those responsible are held accountable.”

The spokeswoman said that last year, the EA shut down 462 illegal waste sites, bringing the total number in operation to 344, which she said was the lowest figure on record.

She added that enforcement officers had prevented almost 34,000 tonnes of waste from being illegally exported.

As part of the works, part of Bethersden Road is set to be closed until late summer 2026, south of the railway line in the vicinity of Hoads Wood.

A diversion will also be in place south of the junction with Pluckley Road and north of the junction with Sparrow Hatch Lane.

KentOnline exclusively reported on the illegal tip in January 2024 and visited the site.

Our reporter said the stench of rotting eggs was so strong, it felt as if he was being “slowly poisoned with each breath”.

Last month, fresh concerns were raised by residents over the stink set to be caused by the hazardous waste being transported from the four-acre plot.

Kent Wildlife Trust has long campaigned for the site to be cleared and while bosses are grateful to see action take place, they acknowledged residents will face major disturbance.

Sally Smith, the charity’s advocacy manager, said in March: “We're absolutely delighted that the cleanup's going to start. It's been a really long time coming, but thank goodness the time has come.

“Unfortunately, it took a long time for that waste to get there and it's going to be a long time for it to be taken away.

“It is unfortunate it will cause disruption, but it's a nature haven, and hopefully, it can be restored to some form where it can be great for wildlife once more.

“At the moment, if you go to Hoads Wood, you can't get away from the smell. So, by taking that away, hopefully, in the long term, the community will be able to breathe clean air once again.”