The Environment Agency (EA) will clear the illegal landfill site on land outside Kidlington, with planning work starting immediately after officials concluded that the likelihood and potential impact of a fire made removal the safest option.
The dump, widely described by residents as a “waste mountain” and estimated to be 150 metres long, 15 metres wide and 10 metres high, has been the focus of weeks of campaigning and multi-agency monitoring because of environmental, flood-plain and fire concerns.
Local councillors welcomed the decision.
Cllr Laura Gordon, Oxfordshire County Council (Kidlington North & Otmoor):
“I’m over the moon that the Environment Agency have agreed to clear the site and that work on this will begin straight away—given the environmental and fire risks, this is clearly the right decision. This is testament to weeks of work by dozens of local and national campaigners. We now need to keep up the pressure to make sure the clean-up happens as soon as possible, the people responsible are held to account, and that the government invests in prevention so that nothing like this happens again.”
Cllr Gemma Coton, Cherwell District Council (Launton & Otmoor):
“It is fantastic news that the Government and Environment Agency have agreed to clear the site. This has been an amazing, community-wide effort to push for action. The priority now is that the site is cleared as quickly and safely as possible and that those responsible are held to account.”
What the EA says will happen
- Clearance and logistics: The Agency is drawing up the removal plan, including site safety, traffic routing for lorries, and measures to prevent run-off to nearby watercourses during operations.
- Public safety: Residents are asked to keep away from the site while heavy machinery is on-site and to report odours or smoke to the EA incident hotline (0800 80 70 60).
- Enforcement: The criminal investigation into the illegal deposit of waste continues alongside the clean-up; the EA says accountability remains a priority.
A detailed timetable, contractor information and any temporary road management around the site are expected to follow once the EA finalises the plan with local partners.
Why the decision was taken now
Officials say new assessments of fire risk and impact tipped the balance in favour of a full removal, rather than relying solely on formal action against the perpetrators to make them clear the dump. The EA described the move as an “exceptional” decision made to protect people and the environment.
What residents can expect next
- Visible activity on site as the EA prepares the ground and installs safety measures.
- Lorry movements to and from the site during agreed hours once removal begins; details will be shared in advance.
- Regular updates from the EA and county/district councils on progress, traffic, and any short-term changes affecting nearby roads or paths.
What this means
The clearance is intended to remove the immediate risk to nearby homes, businesses and the local environment, and to restore the land after months of concern. Councillors and campaigners say they will continue to press for swift, safe removal and full accountability for those responsible.
For updates or to report an environmental concern related to the site, contact:
- Environment Agency incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60
- General enquiries: gov.uk/environment-agency-contact
- Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council websites for local notices on traffic and public information
