A FARMER has been ordered to pay out more than £8,000 after running an illegal waste disposal operation on his land.
Dennis Valentine Ward, of Oak Tree Farm in Slitting Mill, near Rugeley, admitted 13 charges relating to the dumping and burning of waste on his land without a waste management licence - a breach of the Environmental Protection Act.
At Stafford Magistrates’ Court last week the 72-year-old was fined £7,000, with a discount of £1,000 for his early guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay £2,840 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Cannock Chase Council received complaints going back to 2008 from residents living nearby, as well as Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service who attended the farm five times in 2009.
Neil Griffiths, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire Safety Officer, said: “The Fire Service’s attendance at incidents of this nature can be very difficult and dangerous to the fire crews as they are facing unknown items and products within the commercial waste.
“The resources deployed to such deliberately started fires could impact on our response for any other emergency that may occur. On behalf of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service I would encourage other landowners to avoid setting any fires in order to remove waste materials as it is dangerous, harmful and illegal.”
The burning of waste continued despite warnings. The prosecution was brought by Cannock Chase Council and included video evidence of waste being dumped at the farm and then burned.
Karen Sulway, Cannock Chase Council Environmental Protection Manager, said: “We have been working since March 2008 to stop the illegal waste disposal operation at Oak Tree Farm, so we’re delighted with the successful prosecution. Mr Ward was given every opportunity to halt the operation but refused.
“By burning the waste he caused a real nuisance for people living nearby and often posed a danger. The fire service had to attend the farm on a number of occasions.
“We will not hesitate to prosecute when the environment of our District is being put at risk and I urge people in the District to dispose of their waste correctly and legally.”
