PARISH councillors are demanding action as a once beautiful wildflower meadow has been turned into a dumping ground for rubble.

The field, off Neasham Road, in Hurworth, near Darlington, once boasted an impressive array of wildflowers and associated wildlife but over the last three years it has been transformed into a rubble-strewn wasteland.

More than 20 large piles of rocks and earth now dominate the field and a nearby public footpath has been barricaded shut with a metal frame, planks of wood and a rusty gate.

Speaking at a recent Hurworth Parish Council meeting, councillors lamented the loss of the meadow and expressed their frustration that Darlington Borough Council had been notified of the situation three years ago but had done nothing about the site.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said that because the land was private, the dumping was a criminal matter for the police and the Environment Agency.

However she confirmed that the council’s rights of way team had identified the landowner and a letter has now been sent out giving them 28 days to clear the footpath.

Speaking at the parish council meeting, Cllr Peter Foster said: “I have known that meadow for years, the flowers have been absolutely beautiful, and if this has happened it is shame.

“It was a nice area, it used to be a lovely walk.”

Cllr Tony Needham said: “That meadow will never be the same again and the fact that they have put 24 separate piles of rubble on the field is unbelievable.”

He added: “There are people in Hurworth who are very upset about it.”

Hurworth Parish Council chairman Tony Winnett said such incidents should not be overlooked by the relevant authorities just because they happened in the countryside and out of sight of the majority of people.

He added: “Action really needs to be taken swiftly.”

The Environment Agency confirmed it is now investigating after being notified of the situation this week.

Tristan Drought, environment management team leader, said: “We have visited the site and it appears that waste soil with some rubble has been deposited on the land.

“Our officers are now looking into whether any environmental permitting laws have been breached, and we are contacting the landowner so they can help with our enquiries.

“Anyone who knows of any illegal waste activity here or at any other location can report the matter to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline on 0800-807060.”