The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Sepa probe into fly-tipping site on edge of city
Agency to investigate after ‘100-plus tipper loads’ discovered on piece of private ground after group of Travellers packed up and left this week
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) officers are investigating an illegal dump site on the edge of Dundee.
Mounds of garden and building waste, children’s bikes, gas canisters, plastic waste and firepits were abandoned earlier this week on the piece of private land at Balgarthno, near Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate.
It comes after a group of Travellers removed a number of large stones blocking the entrance to the site, south of the NCR building and next to the Kingsway, and set up a temporary camp.
The group, living in caravans on the land, packed up and left the site on Tuesday, leaving “around one hundred tipper loads” of rubbish behind them.
The mounds were spread out over the site, covering an area of land around the size of a football pitch.
They include dangerous building waste as well as abandoned gas canisters,
A local, who regularly walks in the area, told The Courier he challenged the group about the mess.
The man, who did not want to be named, said: “I went over as the Travellers were packing up to leave.
“I asked when were they going to clean up their mess. I was met with a shrug. There’s got to be 100-plus tipper loads there. It’s grim.”
A spokeswoman for Sepa said its officers were investigating the incident.
She said: “Sepa has recently been informed of waste being left on private ground in Balgarthno and are currently investigating the issue.
“Fly-tipping is a serious offence with significant consequences and those caught risk a fine of up to £40,000.”
Anyone who suspects fly-tipping is being carried out, or wants to report illegal traders, is urged to contact the Dumb Dumpers Stopline by completing a form on the dumbdumpers.org website.
Estate agents Graham and Sibbald are currently marketing the 69-acre piece of private land for sale as a “substantial development site”, highlighting its “highly visible roadside location”.
A company spokesman said he was aware of the rubbish and had contacted the landowner.
Many rural parts of Tayside have seen a rise in fly-tipping during lockdown, but it was hoped the reopening of recycling centres would help ease the problem.