Environmental officials have launched an investigation into a plot of land near Wadborough in Worcestershire following allegations that it has been used to illegally dump medical waste. The site, located off Mill Lane, sits adjacent to Great Blaythorn Meadow, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) recognized for its rare lowland meadow and grassland habitats.
The Environment Agency (EA) confirmed it is working alongside West Mercia Police, Wychavon District Council, and Worcestershire County Council to examine the claims. A resident, who requested anonymity, stated that a muck spreader—typically utilized for distributing farmyard manure—had been employed to scatter the waste across the field.
The anonymous source further alleged that residents from Wadborough and Drakes Broughton identified fragments of the debris as medical in origin. They estimated that roughly 300 tonnes of contaminated material had been spread, raising concerns about the proximity of the dumping to the ecologically sensitive nature reserve.
Photographs provided to the BBC depict small fragments of metal and plastic scattered among the grass. However, the Environment Agency has not yet verified the nature or volume of the waste. This follows a previous investigation in December 2025, when the BBC reported that the same Mill Lane site was being examined for illegal waste dumping, marking it as the third such location under scrutiny in Worcestershire alongside Stone Arrow Farm in Peopleton and Haselor Lane in Evesham.
Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, an EA spokesperson stated, “Waste crime scars communities and the environment and, in line with our 10-point plan, we’re acting quickly to tackle illegal activity.” The agency added that it is “pulling every lever available” to disrupt those profiting from illegal waste operations.
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