The owner of a vehicle breakers yard at the Boreham Industrial Estate in Essex has been ordered by magistrates to pay 10,000 in fines and costs for not having a waste management licence.
” This case should be a warning to other illegal operators.“
– Chris Window, Environment Agency
Patrick Hamilton pleaded guilty to four offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the End of Life Vehicle Regulations, which require vehicle dismantlers to maintain European-set environmental standards for their activities.
Witham magistrates were told that 62-year-old Mr Hamilton had been advised by the Environment Agency on the relevant legislation on several occasions, but did not apply for a waste management licence.
The Agency encouraged Mr Hamilton to discuss the application with licensing officers before submitting it and to arrange a pre-application meeting. No application was received.
Warning
Mr Hamilton was warned in July 2004, following an inspection, that he needed a license. A return visit two months later revealed he had not made the recommended provisions.
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After the hearing, Environment Agency special enforcement team leader Chris Window said: “Mr Hamilton was aware that his operation was in breach of the law but he made no attempt to make his site compliant.
“This case should be a warning to other illegal operators that we will take action not only to protect the environment and public health but also to ensure that legitimate businesses are not put at a financial disadvantage,” he added.
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