A massive pile of illegally dumped waste, totaling 25,000 tonnes, is sitting on a piece of land that is partly owned by the King, according to recent claims. The location of the UK’s most hazardous illegal waste dump spans a vast two-acre area in the northern region of England, dangerously close to a primary school. Disturbing images reveal a sea of black bin bags filled with household refuse such as diapers, along with toxic chemicals and plastics scattered across the vicinity. Local residents in the vicinity of Bolton House Road, Bickershaw, have reported a continuous stream of trucks depositing waste at the site since January 2025.
Approximately one-third of the dump is situated on land belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster, which is part of King Charles’ extensive private property and estate portfolio. However, the Duchy is exempt from the obligation to clean up the site due to an ancient feudal legal system dating back 750 years. Allegedly, the responsibility for clearing the 20-meter high waste mountains lies with Wigan Council, averting any liabilities from the Duchy.
If the Duchy transfers the contaminated land to the local council, it will shift a cleanup bill amounting to several million pounds onto the taxpayer. Despite citing escheat law to disclaim property liabilities, the Duchy has expressed willingness to engage with Wigan Council on resolving the matter.
Conversely, this stance conflicts with the Environment Agency’s longstanding directive that landowners hold the responsibility for removing illegal waste from their properties. The ongoing debate over cleanup accountability has left locals distressed by the conditions near the site. Residents have recounted a distressing scenario of waste accumulation and environmental hazards, including rodents and flies infestation, prompting complaints which were initially overlooked until Wigan Council took action by securing closure orders following a fire incident in July.
Further scrutiny into the land ownership structure of the site has revealed a complex system where part of the dump falls under the King’s possession. The Duchy of Lancaster, responsible for acquiring assets from deceased individuals without a will or next of kin within the Lancaster County Palatine in northwest England, has been linked to the waste site through the ‘bona vacantia’ legal principle. The Environment Agency’s authority to address the issue is limited unless the Duchy opts to intervene.
As per escheat law, the Duchy is not mandated to inherit any property-related liabilities for lands deemed “onerous,” such as the Wigan site, which was already tainted with waste upon coming under the Duchy’s ownership due to the previous owner’s insolvency.
The Environment Agency has assured its commitment to managing the site and pursuing the perpetrators through a criminal investigation. Regarding the offer to transfer the land to Wigan Council, the council is cautious about evaluating the terms of any potential arrangement, considering that the land’s value might not offset the cleanup expenses.