"A portion of the land dubbed the UK's worst illegal waste dump is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, the King's extensive private portfolio of properties and estates. The waste site in Bickershaw, Wigan, is part of the UK's mounting crisis of illegal dumping. But the Duchy has said due to an ancient feudal legal framework from more than 700 years ago, it is in effect exempt from cleaning up the site, according to an investigation by Channel 4 News."
"The broadcaster suggested the Duchy is shifting responsibility for the clean-up by offering it to Wigan Council. However, the refusal to take proactive action goes against the Environment Agency's guidance that landowners are responsible for clearing waste on their own property and it has launched a criminal investigation. The Duchy has said legally it doesn't take on any liabilities in relation to escheated property - a term for abandoned or ownerless property."
A portion of the Bickershaw illegal waste site is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, part of the King's private portfolio. The Duchy cites an ancient feudal legal framework dating back more than 700 years to assert exemption from responsibility for clearing the site. The Duchy has offered to transfer the land to Wigan Council and to work with the council to resolve the issue. The Environment Agency's guidance states that landowners are responsible for clearing waste on their property, and the agency has opened a criminal investigation. The Duchy says it does not assume liabilities for escheated property and indicates much of the site is owned by other parties.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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