Father and sons prosecuted for waste crimes  

The Agency reported that the waste sites were at “high risk” of causing pollution, as the company “consistently” brought more waste on than was removed.

According to an Agency statement, director of SC Chadwick and sons, Sean Chadwick of Manchester Road, Leigh, and company secretary Michael Chadwick of Kenwood Ave, Leigh were each given a 10 month sentence suspended for 18 months as well as two 14 week sentences each suspended for 18 months.

This follows a hearing at Bolton Crown Court this month

Gary Chadwick, of Culcheth Hall Drive, Warrington, also a director of SC Chadwick and Sons, was given two 14 week sentences suspended for 18 months.

The Environment Agency reported that both Sean and Michael Chadwick pleaded guilty to three charges.

One charge for the permit breaches over time at the Bolton site and an identical one for the Leigh site and failure to comply with a Reg 36 enforcement notice at the Leigh site. Gary Chadwick pleaded guilty to the charges related to the Leigh site.

Investigation

The case was brought about after what the Environment Agency describes as an “extensive investigation”.

It added that throughout the investigation the two sites remained “non-compliant” with the company’s permit.

The Environment Agency said that much of the time, this was “significantly so” which resulted in the sites being at “high risk of pollution”.

The Bolton site was investigated over a period from 28 June 2014 to 27 February 2016, as the Agency said it was not operating to minimise risk of pollution.

Officers also reported that the site exceeded maximum waste height limits, following an investigation that waste had increased in height to 5m.

The Agency concluded that the sheer volume of waste on site was “preventing it being processed efficiently and preventing vehicles moving around safely.”

The Environment Agency reported that “the fundamental problem with both sites, which resulted in the prosecution, was they consistently brought more waste on than was removed, apparently for financial reasons”.

The Bolton site is abandoned, leaving an estimated clean up cost of £3million.

‘Consistently failed’

Mark Easedale, an area environment manager for the Environment Agency, said:“The Environment Agency is committed to taking robust enforcement action against those who break the law, to protect communities and the environment.

“In this case the defendants consistently failed to respond to advice and guidance, warnings and statutory notices requiring action to improve operations at both of their sites.

“The Environment Agency permit waste sites to ensure they operate legally and with minimal impact on the environment. Sites that operate outside the terms of their permit undercut legitimate businesses and, in this case, caused harm to the environment through waste fires and misery for residents and businesses. They also cost taxpayers money as Bolton Council had to clear the site at considerable expense. We are determined to make life hard for criminals and support legitimate business by disrupting and stopping the criminal element.”