16/05/2005 - The Environment
Agency has today (Monday 16th May 2005) prosecuted
an East Grinstead roofing contractors for
storing and burning waste without a waste
management licence. The company repeatedly
refused to attend Court hearings so the Agency
applied to have the case heard in their absence.
G & K Roofing Contractors Ltd were found
guilty of the offences at Horsham Magistrates
Court. The company was fined £26,000
and ordered to pay £1,695.00 costs for
the six offences.
The court heard how, in August 2003, an Environment
Officer visited land at Crawley Down Road,
Felbridge, East Grinstead following complaints
that waste was being kept and burnt there.
The Officer witnessed bonded asbestos lying
on the ground and bonfires of burning wood,
roofing felt and old furniture.
Under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection
Act 11000, it is an offence to deposit or
dispose of controlled waste without a licence.
A Waste Management Licence, issued and enforced
by the Environment Agency, sets conditions
on how a site should be operated to avoid
pollution of the environment and harm to human
health. Bonded asbestos, because it contains
irritant fibres, is designated as special
waste and is subject to further controls over
its transport and disposal.
The Environment Agency instructed G &
K Roofing Contractors Ltd to remove all asbestos
materials to a licensed site and to stop burning
or storing waste. Further visits were made
to the site and, again, Environment Officers
witnessed large amounts of waste, including
old furniture, a fridge freezer and skips
containing bonded asbestos. The Environment
Agency asked the owner of the land to attend
a formal interview but was assured that the
problem had been resolved. After further complaints
were received, the owner of the company was
asked again but no reply was received.
Imposing the fine of £26,000, the Magistrates
said that they had taken into account the
deliberate and reckless breaches of the law
by the company. They also considered that
the company had been uncooperative and disregarded
warnings from the Environment Agency and that
they were fully aware of the likely outcomes
of failing to comply with the legislation.
Environment Officer, Bob Curtis, speaking
after the case said: "A Waste Management
Licence sets conditions on how a site should
be operated to avoid both pollution to the
environment and harm to human health. It is
incredibly irresponsible for anyone to ignore
these regulations and carry out activities
like this without a licence.
"G & K Roofing Contractors Limited
were warned on several occasions that the
activities being carried out were thought
to be illegal but the company chose to ignore
it. We hope this sends out a clear message
that waste regulations are a serious matter
and companies have a duty to make sure they
follow them."
