'Super sites' among illegal waste dumps

AN illegal dump in Cheshire holding 280,000 tonnes of waste is among hundreds reportedly identified in Environment Agency data.

- 

Some 517 waste tips were operating at the end of last year, including 11 "super sites", according to figures obtained under freedom of information laws by the BBC.

One site in Northwich, Cheshire, contains around 280,000 tonnes, where the soil is contaminated by construction and demolition waste as well as tarmac, metal and plastics. Waste dumping stopped at the site following an initial Environment Agency intervention in April last year, with the watchdog saying the site is secure and the investigation is ongoing.