Two men in white van dump household rubbish at Roding Valley Nature Reserve

Witnesses reported seeing two men in a white van dumping heap after heap of household waste at Roding Valley Nature Reserve, in Loughton.

Warden Patrick Bailey, of Essex Wildlife Trust, said: “There was a huge amount of building materials from a housing renovation. We had to have a skip and a tractor there to remove it.

“We managed to track it back to one person and they're being dealt with by the council's environmental services.

“It causes an awful lot of damage. There was a lot of plaster and house waste in bags. It was dumped right next to a site of special scientific interest protected by law. If these things seep into it it will have a devastating effect.

“There was a lot of broken glass, strips of wood, and door frames right next to a footpath which is quite a nasty health and safety risk.”

The nature reserve is a popular place among walkers, but has suffered sporadically from fly-tipping.

Keith Miller, of High Road, Epping regularly uses the site, and spotted the latest mound of rubbish.

He said: “Loughton’s residents are extremely lucky to have free access to almost 160 acres of open meadows, woodland and one and half miles of riverbank. Roding Valley Nature Reserve welcomes walkers, horse riders, dog walkers and everyone who enjoys the open countryside in all its phases.

“Less welcome are the fly-tippers who see the open area as an invitation to avoid the expense of rubbish disposal.

“Fortunately the last would-be tippers left ample evidence so the cost of their house refurbishment is likely to rise dramatically.”

A spokesman for Epping Forest District Council said: "We would like to thank Essex Wildlife Trust for the information. We are following it up now and expect to carry out interviews under caution shortly.

"The Council has a range of powers including prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with a potential maximum penalty of £5,000 fine for an individual or £20,000 for a company."