Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, was forced to sell 310 acres of historic family land in Dallington, Northamptonshire, due to persistent fly-tipping and vandalism. The land, owned by the Spencer family for around 130 years, became unfarmable after repeated damage by trespassers.
Burnt-out cars and farmhouse fire
Among the worst incidents, a pile of 60 burnt-out cars was discarded on the land, and a 250-year-old farmhouse was set on fire last year, subsequently having to be dismantled. Earl Spencer said: "My family long despaired at the impossibility of farming the land at Dallington, but is pleased that it now serves a fine purpose as a place for people to live and work."
Sale and development plans
The land was sold to developer Persimmon Homes for £60 million, with proceeds reinvested in the Althorp estate. Plans include 1,800 new homes, a secondary school, two primary schools, and contributions to healthcare, libraries, and the road network. West Northamptonshire Council holds some 150 acres of the development.
National fly-tipping crisis
Fly-tipping costs the UK economy an estimated £1 billion annually. Councils dealt with 1.26 million incidents last year, a 9% increase from the previous year. Farmers are among the worst affected: a survey by the Country Land and Business Association found nearly 75% of farmers who responded experienced fly-tipping each year, with some targeted several times a month. On average, each incident costs about £1,000 to clean up, and 85% of affected farmers invested in security measures like CCTV, lighting, and fencing.
History of the land
The land lies next to Dallington Hall, the former Spencer family home. The estate was acquired by Lord Spencer's great-grandfather around 1893. In 1919, the 6th Earl Spencer gave the hall as a convalescent home for soldiers wounded in World War I. The property was sold and converted into apartments in 1980.
