RESIDENTS were brought to tears when “animal” travellers fly-tipped huge amounts of rubbish in front of a revered church. 

The carnage began in Laindon, Basildon, off Westmayne, when 30-40 tonnes of household waste was dumped on public land on Wednesday night. 

Basildon council will begin clearing the 300ft stack of rubbish today, costing the taxpayer between £6,000 – £7,000.

Among the tens of thousands of items were tables, chairs, mattresses, smashed glass and junk-filled suitcases. 

Echo:

Travellers were on the green belt site near the 13th Century church for less than a week before Basildon Council bailiffs executed a Section 61 eviction notice on Monday.

When our reporter attended the aftermath, council workers could be seen sifting through the rubble figuring out from where the waste came from. Much of it was from east London. 

Business and individuals can be hit with hefty fines if their belongings are discovered among fly-tipped waste. 

Human excrement could also be seen inside the woods next to the encampment.

A mile away, about 25 caravans camped on grass next to Westmayne, where children could be seen playing and women washing clothes. 

A neighbour, who wishes to remain anonymous, recalled the “insane” moment a fleet of unmarked trucks dumped the waste. 

He said: “It’s just disgusting what has happened here these people are animals I just don’t understand how they can do this to such a beautiful space.”

“I was walking the dog on Wednesday evening when a fleet of lorries drove up onto the land and dumped everything. 

“They’ve dumped it in the woods as well – I have never seen anything like it in my life, it only took them a few minutes.

“Then all of the travellers left the site.”

Gary Edwards, head of street scene and leisure services for Basildon Council, said:

“The amount of waste left behind in St Nicholas Lane, totalling between 30 and 40 tonnes, is among the worst fly-tipping incidents we have known in the borough.

“The operation to clear the site is likely to cost between £6,000 and £7,000 of public money, which the council would far rather be spending on other things.

“Residents have already rightly expressed their outrage and we will explore all legal avenues in order to take appropriate steps against the perpetrators.”

Echo:

  • “OUTRAGED” residents reacted in horror following the aftermath. 

Ambulance driver Bartholemew Simpson, of Laindon, said: “The council needs to take down their registration numbers, go down there and treat them like they would treat anyone else who has fly-tipped.

“But it’s as if everybody is frightened of them.

“Why can’t the council set up cameras to catch people doing it? 

“That is a beautiful part of Basildon, lots of people have their wedding photos taken there. “

UKIP councillor Stephen Hodge echoed the sentiment, but added how one resident was in tears over the illegal waste. 

He said: “”When I saw it I just couldn’t believe my eyes - it took my breath away. 

“I just thought ‘oh no this can’t be happening.’

“It’s upsetting - one woman who I’ve been speaking to who lives nearby was in tears.”

Essex Police said: “Police are aware that travellers have now relocated to the grass area at the side of WestMayne.

"Once again an assessment has been conducted and the land owners are being contacted.

"Police cannot blanket prosecute all persons on the site without evidence that supports they were individually involved.

THE destruction unfolded following a string of incidents involving travellers. 

Injunctions are currently in place banning any further development at Silva Lodge Kennels and land west of Hovefields Avenue, Wickford, after lorries transporting hardcore were first spotted at the beginning of March.

During a two-day hearing, five out of six defendants were found guilty of contempt of court after breaching the injunction at land at Silva Lodge Kennels, in Hovefields Avenue.

Jill Walsh, 59, of the Hovefields Residents’ Association said: “They are still bringing hardcore to the site.

“Not the big trucks of 20 tonnes, but a couple of seven and a half tonnes a day in the back of trailers and vans.

“They are coming every day.

“There have been two large caravans as well and they have set up a washroom. The court case at the end of May might be too late."

Two groups of travellers are also caused upset for Wickford residents. 

Travellers have moved on from Southend Road, Shotgate but left heaps of building rubble as well as household waste - enough rubbish to fill several trucks.