Warning after landowner is fined for burying waste

THE Environment Agency has issued a warning to landowners after a Manchester man was fined for burying waste on his land.

Steven Bulmer admitted operating an illegal waste site at Sawfield Nurseries, Fairy Lane, Sale, Greater Manchester, when he appeared Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court.

He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £12,561 in costs and the court also imposed a victirm surcharge of £100.

The case against Bulmer, brought after an investigation by the Environment Agency, identified that he deposited and disposed of waste by burying it without the required permit in place.

Bulmer, who represented himself in court, said in his defence he buried the waste but it was all from his property as he was clearing it up.

He went on to say he thought he was doing the right thing and did not know it was illegal to bury the waste, which included bricks and household items.

Waste from the renovation and construction of properties must be taken to a suitably licensed facility and not buried.
 
Officers carrying out investigations on the site found that methane gas was present from the breaking down of waste in the ground.
 
Tracey Rimmer, environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Waste crime is a serious offence with tough penalties as it can damage the environment, blight local communities and undermine those who operate legally.

“This case highlights that the Environment Agency will always look to take enforcement action in the criminal courts.”