December 15, 2014 2.45 pm This story is over 117 months old

Lincoln roofing company handed costly fly-tipping penalty

Fly tipping: A Lincoln roofing company has been slapped with clean-up costs of over £650 after waste from a reroofing job was not disposed of properly.

A Lincoln roofing company has been slapped with clean-up costs of over £650 after waste from a reroofing job was not disposed of properly.

Investigations began after a large quantity of roofing material was found fly tipped in November by a member of the public near Aisthorpe, along with details of an address in Lincoln.

Officers found the property in question had recently installed a new roof and were able to locate the local contractor who had undertaken the work.

The contractor, who cannot be named due to ongoing additional court proceedings, was called into the Guildhall in Gainsborough and admitted that he had employed a third party to remove the waste.

It was then found that the third party was not properly licensed or registered to carry and dispose of waste.

Because of this, the roofer was unable to prove where his waste had ultimately ended up.

He was promptly issued with a fixed penalty for £300 for failing to produce documentation under Section 34A Environmental Protection Act 1990 & Regulation 4 Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 (as amended).

The roofer has also been instructed to pay the council’s clean-up costs of £356.94. If this is not paid, the maximum penalty at court is a fixed penalty of £5,000.

The council is now working alongside the Environment Agency to pursue prosecution of the third party, who is thought to be operating an unlicensed waste facility in the district.

Nigel Periam, environmental protection officer at West Lindsey District Council said it is vital both businesses and residents can show how and where their waste is being disposed of.

He added: “There are significant penalties applicable for failing to do so. Anyone carrying or disposing of waste for commercial gain must be properly registered and issue relevant paperwork to prove where the waste is being taken to.

“To prevent unsightly fly tipping and a possible penalty, anyone can easily check the credentials of carriers. You can either make sure directly with the Environment Agency or via the District Council before handing over waste.”

Councillor Owen Bierley, chairman of the council’s Prosperous Communities Committee said: “We have to send the message out that fly-tipping is a harmful and unacceptable thing to do in West Lindsey, or indeed anywhere. Our officers have proved that if you are caught committing this nuisance act, we will pursue prosecution and offenders will be punished.

“Officers and residents work hard to keep the district looking clean and tidy and those who challenge this should be aware robust consequences await.”

To report fly tipping or incidents of waste to WLDC, call 01427 676676 or email [email protected]