Company prosecuted after admitting liability for illegally tipped waste in Yorkshire
Two high profile waste offences, committed in Yorkshire in 2017 have been taken into account on sentencing at a court hearing in Preston
The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted, prolific offender, John Leslie Allison for undertaking various illegal waste activities at two closely located sites in Colne without a permit for dealing with waste.
John Leslie Allison allowed hazardous waste to be deposited at the Hubbs House Farm site. This was delivered to the site by Environmental Concern Ltd who together with responsible staff are also being prosecuted for their actions.
On sentencing, Birmingham based Environmental Concern Ltd (ECL) asked for two separate offences in Yorkshire to be taken into account.
They involve its part in the illegal deposit of controlled waste at an illegal waste site at Mount St Works, Mount Street, Bradford, BD3 9SN between 04 April 2017 and 12 May 2017 along with the illegal deposit of waste at Summit Farm North Dalton, Driffield in August 2017.
Deposit of the hazardous waste at Mount Street, Bradford led to widespread reports of odour nuisance and pests from neighbouring homes and businesses and presented a significant risk of fire and groundwater pollution. The Environment Agency’s investigation found this came from Environmental Concern Ltd in Birmingham, and the company eventually cleared this at their own cost.
Hazardous waste illegally deposited at Summit Farm North Dalton, Driffield included waste paint powders from a Coventry based company. The investigation identified this had been legitimately consigned to Environmental Concern Ltd (ECL) for disposal, prior to being illegally deposited and abandoned at Summit Farm. As part of the sentence the court ordered ECL to pay the landowner £16,800 to cover the costs he’d incurred removing the waste.
Kenneth MORRIS, a former director of ECL, and at the time of the offences still involved in running the hazardous waste aspects of its business, admitted responsibility for his role in the illegal deposit of hazardous waste at Summit Farm.
Waste operators such as Environmental Concern Ltd are required to follow the rules and regulations put in place to protect the environment and their customers. These rules require accurate documentation of the process they follow when disposing of the waste as well as ensuring the waste is disposed of correctly at a waste facility permitted by the Environment Agency.
Failure to dispose of hazardous wastes correctly is a risk to the environment and to public health.
Environment Agency Senior Environmental Crime Officer, Edd Betts said:
“We are delighted that Environmental Concern Ltd has admitted to wrong-doing in respect of the offences carried out in Bradford and Driffield and welcome sentencing by the judge which takes these offences into account and includes compensation to the landlord of Summit Farm for costs incurred in removing the abandoned waste.”
“Any person or business who transports, treats, stores or deposits waste without the required environmental permit is breaking the law. And if waste is left illegally on any land, as in this case, the responsibility for removing it can fall to the landowner or property landlord.
“The conditions of an Environment Agency Environmental Permit are designed to protect people and the environment. Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage to the environment, undermine legitimate businesses and jobs and cause misery for local communities.”