A farmer in Burnley has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 after Burnley Council took legal action to stop the illegal burning of waste materials.
Patrick Laverty, of Copy Wood Farm, pleaded guilty at Burnley Magistrates’ Court to three charges of failing to comply with a council abatement notice to prevent nuisance arising from the burning of waste at the farm.
He was fined £120 on each charge and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £144 and £560 costs.
The court heard that plastics, tyres, carpets and mattresses, as well as wood and kitchen worktops, were among the materials burned at the site, causing a nuisance and environmental impact on the surrounding area.
The fires created acrid smoke that could be smelt some distance away.
Laverty was fined £120 on each charge and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £144 and £560 costs.
The Environment Agency is taking its own separate action against Laverty regarding illegal waste activities at his farm.
The council received several complaints in 2022 from local residents regarding the smell of waste burning in the proximity.
After investigating, the council issued a community protection warning notice on Laverty requiring him to not deposit, dispose or burn any controlled waste at the farm.
Illegal burning of waste materials
According to Isabelle Burke, Environment Officer at Environment Management Devon and Cornwall:
“Burning waste releases harmful gases. Hazardous smoke is produced when plastics (including those originating from mixed material packaging), damp proofing, paints, rubbers, sealants, oils, vehicles and tyres are burned.
“In addition to this, the residues from burnt waste, the ash and waste which is left behind can pollute surface and groundwater and result in long-term land contamination which can be expensive and difficult to remediate.”
Councillor Howard Baker, the council’s executive member for community and environmental services, said:
“The illegal burning of waste at this site has caused a lot of concern among local residents about the impact this was having on the environment and their health.
“The council continually tried to work with the defendant to try and stop this nuisance but he continued to allow illegal burning and ignored legal notices preventing it. He has now paid the price.”
