\n Over the recent Bank Holiday weekend, Graham Vingoe, a resident from Poundbury was walking his dog\u00a0around the National Trust site of Hardy\u00a0Monument, near Portesham in west Dorset, as he does regularly, when they came across a huge pile of waste.\n<\/p>\n
\n The monument is a\u00a0popular spot for walkers and tourists who visit to enjoy sweeping views over the\u00a0countryside and coastline.\n<\/p>\n
\n Pictures show plastic bottles, tissues, sandwich packets and coffee cups strewn around\u00a0the bushes at the site, among other waste. The resident promptly reported it to the council.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Vingoe\u00a0said he was\u00a0“shocked and disgusted” by the fact that there was so much rubbish in a nature reserve, and thought that the responsible party could have been camping in the area and dumped the rubbish before leaving the site.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “It was disappointing, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty and to treat it as a rubbish tip is very sad. It’s a shame as it’s about the fourth incident we have reported in the area in just over two years. The council have been very good about it all though and often get it cleared up within a week.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Fly-tipped waste near\u00a0Hardy monument (Image: Supplied) Following the report, Dorset Council confirmed that its waste services\u00a0team attended the site and removed a total of three bags of rubbish. The local authority has since issued a strong warning to those responsible and said it would “pursue all avenues” to take\u00a0action against offenders.\n<\/p>\n
\n A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “Unfortunately, we have had to clear three bags of fly-tipped rubbish from near the monument.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n “The dumping of rubbish and litter like this is not only an eyesore, but damaging for wildlife and the environment and, of course, it costs council tax money to clear.\n<\/p>\n
\n “If you see fly-tipped rubbish, please report it to us; we will pursue all avenues to trace the offenders and hold them to account.\n<\/p>\n
\n “To report fly tipping, please use our online reporting form on the ‘Street cleaning and litter’ page at dorset.council.gov.uk\/bins-recycling-and-litter<\/a>.”\n<\/p>\n \n The spokesperson added that you can also report fly-tipping by calling the council on 01305 221040<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n The monument itself is a Grade II listed building and is recognised for its architectural and historical significance. The surrounding heathland was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1984.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n