After a three-year fight the Environment Agency has finally blocked access to a site which is thought to be used as an illegal dump site.

A court order is now in place prohibiting anyone from entering or depositing waste on the site in Eastchurch, at the end of Third Avenue, known locally as Eastchurch Gap.

The Restriction Order was obtained at Maidstone Magistrates Court to prevent access to the site at a hearing today.

An access gate to the site has now been locked and the EA has placed a warning notice at the entrance.

Anyone entering the land without reasonable excuse or written permission from the Environment Agency, tampering with the lock or notice will be committing a criminal offence.

However, Gordon Henderson, the Conservative MP for Sheppey and Sittingbourne, feels a lot more still needs to be done to tackle the Island’s issue.

He said: “I've been working on this for almost three years now and I've been pressing for some action to take place, because what was happening, at Third Avenue in particular.”

Mr Henderson believes general waste was being dumped over the cliffs and then covered by construction waste.

He explained: “That construction waste was washed away by the sea leaving the general waste on Sheppey’s beaches.

“It's actually become an environmental nightmare so I'm absolutely delighted that the Environment Agency managed to get this restriction order.”

“I'm sure local residents are going to be absolutely delighted, particularly those that live in the nearby Fourth Avenue and around that particular area.

“One or two of them have been complaining to me regularly as a result of this issue and as well about the lorries going through Eastchurch village.

“But this is not going to stop immediately because we've still got waste being tipped away at the top of Warden Road.”

The agency’s next step is to put cement blocks at the gates of the Third Avenue site so the dump trucks can no longer gain access to the site.

It’s been reported previously that there are two dumping hotspots along the Sheppey Coast.

Not only is waste being dumped by the Eastchurch Gap but also by Warden Bay. Earlier this year a Minster fossil hunter claimed the area was being used as a dump for human faeces.

Mr Henderson added: “I contacted the Environment Agency again, not only to thank them for what they've done, but to urge them to now to concentrate their efforts on getting something done to stop the the tipping at the other location.

“When that does happen, that’s when we can say we've succeeded in what we're trying to achieve.

“Most of the beaches on the island have got blue flags, the water is great for swimming.

“But now it's been threatened because of this rubbish that that is being tipped over and washed off the cliffs.

“I think it's outrageous that they've got away with it for so long and I can assure people in my constituents that I have been trying to get something done but it’s has been a difficult exercise because of the legal requirements.”

Sadly, many think the damage to the area’s beaches has already been done.

But Mr Henderson believes a “collective effort” will help sort the problem.

He said: “I think we've got to accept that there's little that anyone can do at the moment about the rubbish because it's there and it's going to keep being washed up on our beaches.

“Because of this we have to have a collective effort to end the issue.

“Hopefully Swale Borough Council will help clean up those beaches as and when the rubbish occurs.”

The MP added the longterm aim is to stop further waste going over the cliffs.

He went on: “I think we've solved half the problem. But we've now got to put pressure on the Environment Agency to finish the job and stop all tipping from the cliffs on Sheppey.”

A spokesman for Swale council stated SBC welcomes the court order.

They said: “We have been part of the multi-agency group that provided the evidence and to get to this stage. We will continue to work with partners to ensure it remains closed.”

Lindsay Faulkner, Kent and South London area environment manager at the Environment Agency said: “Our priority is protecting the local community and environment. This order has been secured following the local community’s concerns and the environmental impact of the tipping of waste at the site.

“We inspect the site regularly and we have had a regular presence in Eastchurch to disrupt the illegal dumping of waste at the site. In a recent local operation with Kent Police targeting waste carriers, we handed out nine fixed penalty notices totalling £2,300 for various offences.

“The Environment Agency’s powers to stop waste crime include prosecuting those we believe are behind dumping waste illegally, which can lead to prison sentences. Among other measures, we can use court orders to close sites. We know illegal waste activity harms the environment and has a devastating effect on communities.

“While most waste sites are operated responsibly, we will take action against those who flout the law.”

In response to Mr Henderson urging the EA to do more a spokesman for the Government body said: “​We continue to gather evidence as part of an investigation into reports of waste dumped illegally, and work with Kent Police and other agencies across Swale to target waste carriers suspected of illegal activity.

“We urge anyone with new concerns about the area to contact us immediately on 0800 807060, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. All calls are confidential.

“Waste crime harms the environment and has a devastating effect on communities. We constantly review our enforcement options as we gather evidence. Our powers to tackle waste crime include prosecuting those we believe are behind dumping waste illegally, which can lead to prison sentences. Among other measures, we can use court orders to close down sites.”