A LANDOWNER has been ordered to stop dumping huge amounts of builders' waste in the New Forest National Park. Furious residents say dozens of lorries a day have been delivering rubble to a large area of agricultural land in Pollards Moor Road, Copythorne.

Now the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has ordered the owner of the site to stop work while it carries out an investigation.

An NPA spokesman said the first complaints were received three months ago.

She added: "The owner said he was conducting drainage work to stop his field flooding and his aim was to raise the centre of the field by a metre. Organisations consulted by the authority were happy with the work and said it wouldn't require planning permission.

"However, the scale of the operation seems to have changed and it looks like large amounts of rubble are being dropped off, which is not consistent with drainage works. The authority has told the owner to stop all work on the site."

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Spoil has been deposited to raise the level of the field. Investigations are continuing into whether this is in compliance with the Environmental Protection Act."

People living near the site have complained to Copythorne Parish Council, which is planning to stage a public meeting.

Residents are furious at the number of lorries that have been delivering waste to the site.

They are also concerned about the scheme's impact on the local environment.

Campaigner Julie Munden, of Pollards Moor Road, said people living near the site were worried about the possibility of their homes being flooded.

A spokesman for the landowner's agent declined to comment.