Alleged illegal waste site at Progress Road cleared and restored following joint action

August 20, 2026

An alleged illegal waste site on Progress Road has been cleared, secured and restored following coordinated action by Southend-on-Sea City Council, the Environment Agency and partner agencies.

The case began in November 2025 when planning enforcement officers opened an investigation into the unauthorised use of the land as an alleged illegal waste site.

Southend-on-Sea City Council and the Environment Agency then worked together to prevent further waste from being brought onto the site.

Council teams, including Planning Enforcement, Community Safety, Highways and Regulatory Services, worked alongside the Environment Agency throughout its investigation.

Steps were taken to secure the site and prevent further waste being brought onto the land. When the barriers installed to protect the site were removed, the Council arranged 24-hour security to keep the site secure while a longer-term solution was developed.

Officers continued to monitor the site closely after the Environment Agency served a statutory notice requiring the waste to be removed.

As a result of these efforts, a significant amount of waste was removed from the site and in July 2026, the land was cleared, secured and restored.

Councillor Kevin Robinson, Cabinet Member for Planning, Property and Governance, said: "This outcome has resolved a significant environmental issue. Achieving it required sustained effort from council officers and close partnership working with the Environment Agency and other agencies over many months.

"The before-and-after photographs show just how much work went into clearing, securing and restoring the site. Together, we have secured removal of the waste and brought the land back into a condition that benefits local residents, businesses and the environment."

Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, Lesley Robertson, said: "Illegal waste activity can pose risks to communities and the environment.

"Working with the Council and partner agencies to secure the site, require the waste to be removed and support its restoration shows the value of organisations working together to tackle complex environmental issues."

Following an investigation by the Environment Agency, a prosecution has commenced. The alleged occupier of the land, ESG Environmental Ltd, and its director, John Presland, are due to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court at 10am on 17 December 2026 for the first hearing.