A huge illegal waste dumping site that was discovered in Amersham is set to be turned into an Aldi supermarket.

At around 6pm on Tuesday, April 30, officers from Thames Valley Police attended the site following a report from Buckinghamshire Council that fly-tippers were in the area.

The authorities descended to the venue, which used to be the town’s old Jaguar car dealership.

Upon arrival, it was revealed that members of the traveller community were in the vicinity, with two arrests being made at the scene.

These two individuals were apprehended for fly-tipping crimes, but have since been released on bail.

Bucks Free Press: Some of the waste that was dumped at the site in AmershamSome of the waste that was dumped at the site in Amersham (Image: NQ)

The site, pictured on May 2, shows the remains of what was dumped.

The contents include paper bags from fast food restaurants, canned drinks, numerous big bags, mattresses and other miscellaneous items.

A passer-by told the Free Press that ‘the police need to be praised for how they handled the situation’.

They said: “The police were brilliant, as they evicted everyone who was on the site.”

A dog unit vehicle is currently stationed outside the premises, keeping an eye on any activity.

Bucks Free Press: The disused Jaguar dealership closed in 2019The disused Jaguar dealership closed in 2019 (Image: NQ)

It is not known how long they will be based in the town.

Police said: "The landowner was very pleased with the response from all agencies.

"We will now coordinate with the Environment Agency and Council."

Fly-tipping is defined as the ‘illegal deposit of any waste onto land that does not have a licence to accept it’.

Uncontrolled illegal waste disposal can be hazardous to the public, especially if it contains toxic material or asbestos.

There could be a risk of damage to watercourses and soil quality from the dumped waste.

Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence for which you can be prosecuted.

Bucks Free Press: Two arrests were made on April 30Two arrests were made on April 30 (Image: NQ)

The site used to be a Jaguar dealership which sat in Amersham for several years before it closed in 2019.

News for the closure was announced in June of that year, with an outlet in Chipperfield, Hertfordshire, also ceasing.

The decision for these two closures was to focus on opening a much larger unit in Aston Clinton near Aylesbury, which eventually took place in December 2019.

Niral Patel, Head of Business at Amersham Jaguar and Chipperfield Land Rover, said at the time: “We’re very excited about this new development, which will cement our position as the primary Jaguar Land Rover retailer in the Buckinghamshire area.

“The Arch dealership will be the perfect place to showcase JLR’s ever-growing range of prestige cars and, with so many exciting additions expected this year, the future of both Jaguar and Land Rover looks very bright.”

It is now expected to be turned into an Aldi supermarket, as a planning application has been submitted to Buckinghamshire Council.

We have contacted Aldi for a comment.


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