MP Calls For Action On Tyre Dump

A report in the Eastern Daily Press tells of North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, who has been trying for many years to clean up a dump of thousands of illegally-dumped tyres on the Tatterset Business Park, near Fakenham. Previous attempts by the District Council and the Environment Agency to have the dump cleared have foundered due to changes in ownership and difficulties in contacting Highstar Properties; the most recent owner of the site.

Mr. Lamb has written to French bank Societe Generale, who granted Highstar the mortgage to purchase the site, asking whether there will soon be a completed sale so that the new owner can begin removing the tyres. This is not his first correspondence with SG, as he earlier requested the bank to foreclose on the mortgage when Highstar was investigated by the Serious Fraud Office.

“It is intensely frustrating, particularly for the local communities living close to the tyres, because they are an eyesore and a serious environmental risk,” Mr. Lamb is quoted as saying, adding: “Although firebreaks have been established, the tyres still present a significant environmental risk – including air pollution if there was a fire and pollution to the water course.”

He suggested that it is in Societe Generale’s interests that the site is sold as soon as possible and said: “I want the ownership to be regularized so we have a new owner on the site that is committed to getting rid of the remaining tyres.”