What it’s like to live next to a 25,000 tonne illegal waste dump

Living beside a 25,000-tonne illegal waste dump has turned everyday life into a prolonged nightmare for Nicha Rowson, who has endured 17 months of disruption, fear and uncertainty. Speaking to Sky News, she described how vast quantities of unlawfully dumped waste were burned just metres from her home, filling the air with thick, toxic smoke and leaving residents feeling abandoned and unsafe.

What began as an unexplained build-up of rubbish quickly escalated into a major environmental and public health crisis. Piles of waste grew into towering mounds, and repeated fires sent acrid fumes across nearby homes. According to Rowson, the smoke often forced her and her neighbours indoors, with windows shut day and night, as the smell lingered for hours. Daily routines were disrupted, sleep was affected, and constant worry became the norm.

Residents say they raised concerns repeatedly, but action was slow. The uncertainty over what exactly was burning only added to their anxiety, with fears about long-term health effects never far from their minds. Rowson explained that living so close to the dump meant there was no escape from the sight or smell of the waste, describing the experience as emotionally exhausting.

The ordeal has highlighted wider concerns about illegal dumping and enforcement failures. While investigations continue and authorities work to clear the site, Rowson says the damage has already been done. For her and others living nearby, the past 17 months have been a stark reminder of how environmental crime can devastate ordinary lives, turning homes into front-line victims of neglect and inaction.