We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The Environment Agency (EA) launched the probe after villagers complained that lorry loads of industrial waste were being dumped in the 60-acre grounds of the Essex property owned by former Billericay Town and Romford FC owner Glenn Tamplin. Residents say up to eight loads of building waste a day have been deposited in the grounds of the £10million house, named Bliss Heights after the steel magnate’s wife. The property boasts a gym, a cinema and outdoor and indoor swimming pools.

It is feared the waste could contaminate the River Roding, which runs past the grounds in Abridge, near Chigwell.

Piles of what appears to be building spoil dumped at the edge of the grounds can be seen close to the river from the M11.

A resident, who preferred not to be named, said: “The lorries started arriving in November at 7.30am – about eight deliveries a day, sometimes more. Traffic was caught up outside the house.

“The lorries were filled with what looked like building spoil and they left empty. It could be 1,000 tons a week going in there. They had an industrial conveyor and a 40ft grading machine in there.

“I want to know what it is because the grounds back on to the River Roding, which could be contaminated. From the motorway, you can see piles of the stuff near the river at the edge of the grounds.”

A lorry filled with what appeared to be spoil was photographed entering the grounds on December 29 before leaving empty 15 minutes later.

Mr Tamplin, 50, was in charge of Billericay Town from 2016, bef-ore taking over Romford FC in December 2019. He is the registered owner of the mansion but not currently thought to be living there.

There is no suggestion he is involved in the suspected waste activity.

When contacted by this newspaper Mr Tamplin said he is not involved in the activity after moving out and “renting out” the property before the alleged tipping began. He said: “I don’t live there any more. The tenants have done this. They are being evicted.”

In April 2020 the former cocaine addict released a YouTube video in which he said he was turning the property into a luxury retreat where wealthy drug users could kick their habit for £4,995 a week.

Last May he quit Romford FC and, it is understood, moved to Dubai.

The waste deliveries began in November, around the time Mr Tamplin was injured during an assault at the mansion.

A man aged 38 was arrested on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm but was later released with no further action.

Residents said they reported suspected waste and planning breaches to Epping Forest District Council and the EA last November but deliveries continued until last month, when police and environmental health officers attended the site on February 24.

The police confirmed in a statement: “Officers were there to assist environmental health.”

The same day, the EA wrote to residents appealing for information about “suspected illegal waste activities at Bliss Heights”, asking if they would be prepared to make statements. The letter said: “The EA is taking all necessary steps to investigate this matter and to stop it from continuing.”

An EA spokesman said: “We are not able to say anything which may prejudice the investigation but will release more details in due course.”

District councillor Brian Rolfe said: “It has been reported to me by residents but council officers told me they had received no direct complaints. I will be going back to them about this.”

An Epping Forest Council spokesman said: “We are aware of this but the Environment Agency is leading the investigation.”

Source: Read Full Article