Father and son sentenced for running illegal waste site

A father and son have been sentenced for operating an illegal waste site in Lancashire, following an investigation by the Environment Agency.

Paul and Benjamin Harrison both pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to failing to apply for a permit for the waste site in Bacup.

An extensive investigation by the Environment Agency established that many thousands of tonnes of waste was brought onto the site at The Farm, Rochdale Road, Bacup, and tipped illegally. This included significant quantities of household waste and contaminated excavation waste.

Paul, 51, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.

Benjamin, 22, was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.

“Illegal waste sites like this undermine legitimate businesses, undercut their prices, and blight the environment,” said an Environment Agency spokesperson.

“We gave extensive advice and guidance but despite this, both Paul and Benjamin Harrison failed to register for the relevant permits and accepted further waste onto site.”

Paul Harrison was also sentenced in another case brought by Rossendale Borough Council, where he was found guilty with another defendant of depositing waste on Futures Park, Bacup, without the required environmental permit.

He received an additional eight months’ imprisonment for this offence.