Fears Damage From Illegal Waste Dumping Could Be Irreversible
Written by HFM News on 2nd May 2026
It is feared the damage caused by the large-scale dumping of household waste at a protected site in the Harborough district could be irreversible.
Around 30,000 tonnes of shredded waste was found spread across an area the size of a football pitch at Cave’s Inn Pits near Shawell, south of Lutterworth, including in a lake.
Soil had been used to cover it in an apparent attempt to conceal the material at the site, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Around 30,000 tonnes of household waste have been discovered spread across an area the size of a football pitch at Cave’s Inn Pits Site
Work is continuing to mitigate the impact on wildlife while a criminal inquiry is under way.
Ian Jones, Area Director for the Environment Agency, spoke to HFM’s Nick Shaw:
South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa has spoken of his disgust after visiting the site
South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa has spoken of his disgust after visiting the site and is to alert the Prime Minister:
