Successful
prosecution of illegal operators in Greater
Manchester
A campaign by the Environment Agency to
crackdown on illegal vehicle dismantlers
has resulted in the successful prosecution
of two companies from Greater Manchester.
Operation S.C.R.A.P
was carried out across the North West to
reduce the number of sites operating without
the necessary permit, and ensure the activities
of these sites do not cause damage to the
environment or human health.
As part of the campaign,
the Environment Agency has prosecuted Oldham
Van Breakers Ltd, and Breaking Toyotas Ltd.
Oldham Van Breakers,
Mumps, Oldham, pleaded guilty at Oldham
Magistrates to operating a waste vehicle
dismantling facility without the required
Environmental Permit, and were fined 5,000
GBP, and ordered to pay costs of 2,462.84
GBP. Breaking Toyotas Ltd, Pimhole Road,
Bury, also pleaded guilty to operating a
waste vehicle dismantling facility without
the required Environmental Permit at Bury
Magistrates. The company were fined 3,000
GBP, and ordered to pay costs of 2,306 GBP.
Both sites were visited
by Environment Agency Officers in Autumn
2008, and despite being advised that they
were operating illegally, continued to trade
without applying for the required permit
for their activities.
The activities of both
companies enabled them to have a competitive
advantage over other vehicle dismantlers.
Gordon Whitaker, Environment
Manager for Greater Manchester said, “The
Environment Agency is committed to ensuring
that all vehicle dismantlers operate in
a way which protects the environment, as
well as ensuring that there is a level playing
field for all commercial companies. Both
these companies knew they were operating
illegally, and continued to do so. I would
remind all operators that they should check
they have the necessary permits in place
to carry out their activities, or they could
face prosecution.”
The Environment Agency
have been working with trade associations
and legitimate operators to crackdown on
illegal activity.
Breaking Toyotas Ltd
has now applied for the relevant environmental
permit.
Anyone wishing to operate
as a vehicle dismantler must apply for an
environmental permit, failure to do so could
result in a 50,000 GBP fine and/or up to
six months imprisonment.
Ends
For media enquiries please contact the press
office on
01925 542621 or 01925 542201
Out of hours please call 07776497255 and
ask for the duty press officer
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Note to Editors
1. Charges
Oldham Van Breakers Ltd
That on and before the 15 May 2009 you operated
a regulated facility, namely a vehicle dismantling
facility at the junction of Garden Street
and Bell Street, Mumps, Oldham, except under
and to the extent authorised by an environmental
permit, contrary to regulations 12 and 38(1)(a)
of the Environmental Permitting (England
and Wales) Regulations 2007.
Breaking Toyotas Ltd
That on and before the 10 February 2009
you operated a regulated facility, namely
a vehicle dismantling facility at Unit 8
Pimhole Business Park, Pimhole Road, Bury,
except under and to the extent authorised
by an environmental permit, contrary to
regulations 12 and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental
Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations
2007.
2. Photos available
on request.
