{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreihqxnoqpcnpdsyxizhzcqsteo2fevapuoaepei4jrh75p76fu6bhu",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgqfgsm56vg2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiaaltn77dec2ozk33ao5rnqc4d4ghlgblokw2idntzrooc42qye5u"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 64546
  },
  "path": "/royal/king-charles-andy-burnham-illegal-waste-dump",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-10T20:27:19.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "over 20,000 locals petitioning for the site to be cleared.",
    "Queen delivers moving speech to survivors of domestic abuse as royal calls for 'change'",
    "King meets with Yvette Cooper at royal residence during reception",
    "Mike wears eye-watering £849 coat as he and Zara represent royals at Cheltenham",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nKing Charles has been condemned by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, for his lack of action on an illegal waste dump in Wigan.\n\nMountains of waste have piled up on land owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, with more than 25,000 tons of rubbish sitting just yards from homes and schools.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Duchy has offered to \"hand over the land\" to Wigan Council, but insists it has no responsibility to clear it up.\n\nMr Burnham argued that the King's move is \"not an acceptable response\" as he hit out at the monarch.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe told Channel 4: \"I'll have to be honest and say I don't think that is an acceptable response. A landowner has responsibility for the decent upkeep of their land and that doesn't stop applying just because it's the Duchy.\n\n\"We need to see a different approach, there's ancient laws enforcing this part of the will, where if people die without a will, then that money goes to the Duchy, well, how about using some of that money?\n\n\"For a purpose that would really benefit our communities. And I won't accept that as an answer from the Duchy. We need a better one.\"\n\nMr Burnham argued that residents deserve better, with over 20,000 locals petitioning for the site to be cleared.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Queen delivers moving speech to survivors of domestic abuse as royal calls for 'change'\n  * King meets with Yvette Cooper at royal residence during reception\n  * Mike wears eye-watering £849 coat as he and Zara represent royals at Cheltenham\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nResidents near the dump said they were assured by the Environment Agency that a major criminal investigation was taking place.\n\nThe Mayor called for a partnership between the landowners and authorities to tackle fly-tipping and deal with the illegal waste dump.\n\nHe said: \"The Environment Agency should step forward, work with the Duchy of Lancaster and get this site cleaned up.\n\n\"Give this community in Bickershaw back their safety. It breaks my heart. I was the member of Parliament here. I know what these mining communities have been through.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"They've just been treated as though they're like an afterthought for many, many years, and it's so wrong. It's unbelievable.\"\n\nThe MP for Makerfield and Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Josh Simmons, has previously said he \"knows how angry residents are about the waste site\", adding that the Duchy \"seems to be getting off scot-free\".\n\nMr Simmons said that the King should have a \"moral obligation\" to help clear the illegal dump.\n\nThe Duchy of Lancaster has previously said: \"The Duchy remains fully committed to working with Wigan Council and the Environment Agency to address this issue and to counter the impact of illegal waste tipping.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAn Environment Agency spokesperson said: \"We have taken robust action at this site, including launching a major criminal investigation and interviewing individuals under caution.\n\n\"A series of interventions have already been made to ensure there has been no additional waste dumped illegally.\n\n\"As this is an active criminal investigation, we are unable to comment on specifics of the site.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "King Charles condemned by Andy Burnham for lack of action with illegal waste dump"
}