Winchester City Council continues its zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping in the District
Winchester City Council is not letting up on its zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping in the District following the successful prosecution of two men who ignored the law.
In one of the prosecutions, 1400kg of asbestos cement roofing was dumped in a car park at Beacon Hill Nature Reserve in Warnford on or before 23 of June, 2017.
Beacon Hill is located within the South Downs National Park and is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI). The waste had come from a property which was being developed by the defendant, Jeffrey Wickens at Station Road, West Meon.
Wickens of High Street, Droxford, Bursledon pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates Court to two offences which were contrary to Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He admitted breaching his duty of care in relation to the waste, which had been within his control and which was later found at the above location by failing to ensure that the waste had been transferred to an authorised person for disposal and by failing to provide a written description of the waste.
District Judge Callaway, sentencing Wickens of High Street, Droxford, found that his actions had been reckless and ordered him to pay a fine of £4000 in addition to prosecution costs of £1863 and £170 Victim Surcharge.
In another case, which was also heard at Portsmouth Magistrates Court, Winchester City Council successfully prosecuted Anthony Cross of TThe Acorns, Bursledon who pleaded guilty to a fly-tipping offence which was contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The court heard how a quantity of paint cans, wood, metal, plastic sheeting, packaging and gardening waste had been deposited at Wheely Down Lane, Warnford in the South Downs National Park on or before 18 July 2016. The waste entirely blocked the lane, preventing access by traffic.
Cross pleaded guilty to the offence on the basis that he allowed his vehicle to be used to deposit the waste.
Cross was sentenced by District Judge Callaway to a 12 month Community Order and was ordered to pay £300 towards prosecution costs and an £85 Victim Surcharge.
Cllr Lisa Griffiths, Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety & Neighbourhood Services said:
“Winchester City Council means business when it comes to tackling those who have no regard for the environment and choose to fly-tip. We will wherever it is appropriate, prosecute those who we have evidence against.”