A farmer has been ordered to stop using an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) as a dump to store and burn rubbish, cars and caravans.

Langley Beck of Bell Lane, Boxley, Maidstone, has been told by the High Court to stop all work in a designated ancient woodland.

An interim injunction served on Mr Beck has told him to stop anyone living in any caravan or mobile home on his land in Boxley Wood which is also covered by a tree preservation order.

He must stop using the land to store caravans, mobile homes, cars, storage containers, hardcore, rubble, timber, green waste, scrap metal or any other waste.

The order stops him from processing waste, enlarging the area, burning any materials and chopping down trees.

Maidstone Borough Council went to the High Court last month after Mr Beck ignored an enforcement notice to stop unlawful waste disposal and to restore the land. It followed several visits from the council, police and fire service. (Jan 21)

Boxley ward councillor Bob Hinder said: “I am delighted to hear that the interim injunction has been successful. It has been a long time coming and is progress in the right direction."

He added: "It is clear that unlawful and potentially criminal activities have been occurring on the site on a regular basis. The site has significantly expanded in recent years.

"It appears it has become a focus for illegal waste dumping and burning. It is a highly protected site. Residents will be relieved to know steps have been taken to get it stopped.”

James Bailey, the council's planning and development manager, said: "We sought this injunction to prevent further landscape harm to the site which could not go on any longer."

He said any breach of the order could lead to a fine, imprisonment and assets being seized. The council said it is monitoring the area "very closely" and warned that any breaches would be "robustly investigated".

The council is continuing with its legal action to ensure the site is tidied up. There have been reports of smoke from burning cars, caravans and buses drifting across the nearby M2.

In February, 2019, Mr Beck was found guilty of keeping dogs and ducks in such appalling conditions that some had to be put down. He was disqualified for keeping any animals for life.

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