Luton resident fined over £9,000 for failing to remove building waste

Julie Coulter, of Layhill Drive, Luton, was found guilty at Luton Magistrates Court on Monday, January, 20, and ordered to pay £9,948, which included a fine of £1,126, the surcharge of £112 and costs, including the clean-up of £8,710.

On Thursday, March 29, 2018, Ms Coulter was served an environmental Protection Act 1990 notice, following an investigation of alleged dumped waste on a piece of land in Gelding Close, Luton.

She was found to be the land owner and it was established that Ms Coulter and her partner were responsible for the dumped waste.

Neither Ms Coulter, as the registered land owner, or the business, LJ Bick Building Services, had obtained a waste permit to allow the transfer or storage of waste on the land under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 33/34.

As a result, the notice was served to clear the waste within 21 days, which was subsequently extended by one month. She failed to arrange removal of the waste within the given timescale and the clearance was carried out on behalf of the council at a cost £8,710.

Ms Coulter did not attend court and a 28 day Collection Order was made.

The company, LJ Bick Building Service, was dissolved on Monday, January 6, 2020.

Cllr Aslam Khan, portfolio holder for public protection, said: “We have laws in place to prevent the illegal storage of building waste to protect local residents and ensure that unsightly waste is disposed of correctly.

"Building businesses must arrange the correct disposal of waste within the correct timescales. They must also ensure that any waste carrier used is registered on the Environment Agency website.

“These prosecutions are intended to send a very strong message that we will always take robust enforcement action in cases like these and environmental protection notices are not to be ignored.”

The investigation officer from Luton Council was praised for his work and thanked in court.