A probe is underway into a suspected illegal dump site on farmland near a village.

Kent County Council (KCC) confirmed it was working alongside Swale council, the Environment Agency (EA), and police to investigate suspicious activity at Raspberry Hill Park Farm in Iwade near Sittingbourne.

In drone images obtained by KentOnline, diggers and dumper trucks can be seen moving what appears to be industrial rubble and waste around the area.

It comes almost a year after the EA blocked access to an unrelated site less than 10 miles away in Eastchurch on Sheppey, known locally as Eastchurch Gap, where waste was being dumped illegally.

In June 2023, after a three-year fight, the government body obtained a court order prohibiting anyone from entering the area or depositing waste there.

But the damage had already been done and tonnes of waste had already been fly-tipped onto the Island’s beaches.

Conservative MP for Sheppey and Sittingbourne, Gordon Henderson, is “very concerned” about the situation in Iwade.

He said: “The activity at Raspberry Hill has been going on for some time.

“I have written again to the Environment Agency and asked for an update on what action is being taken to stop the dumping, but have not yet received a response.

“I will also be raising the matter both with the chief executive and leader of Swale council and the local police at my next regular meeting with them.”

KentOnline has compiled satellite images from Google Earth from 2013 to 2023 which shows the scale of the dump site increasing each year.

A KCC spokesperson said: “KCC is one of a group of regulatory bodies involved in the Raspberry Hill Park Farm site.

“The other principal parties are Swale council, the Environment Agency, and the police.

“The case is being handled on a partnership basis, with collective meetings and actions.

“Contributions are made from within the remit and expertise of each authority/agency, combining towards the overall site objectives.”

An EA spokesman said: “Waste crime spoils the natural environment, and we are aware of the impact this careless criminality has on communities and people’s enjoyment of their environment.

“We are steadfast in our fight against waste criminals.

“With the support of other agencies, including the police and local authorities, we are determined to ensure there is no space for waste crime.”

Anyone who suspects waste crime is happening can contact the EA’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.