On Thursday 12th December 2019, Keith Wilson of Old Springs Farm, Market Drayton was fined £800 and ordered to pay £6,000 costs at Telford Magistrates Court after he admitted illegally burying waste dust on his land near Market Drayton. He pleaded guilty to a single charge under regulations 12 (1) (a) and 38 (1) (a) of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016.
Officers from the Environment Agency brought the case following reports a large pit had been dug and filled with around 2500m3 of waste dust produced in the making of animal bedding. The area was designated as a Nitrogen Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) indicating that the local environment is particularly vulnerable to excessive organic deposits. Farmers whose land is in a NVZ area must plan the management of organic materials and wastes carefully to avoid pollution. Nitrates in groundwater can affect the safety of drinking water and cause pollution to rivers The Court was told that the defendant had no environmental permit and that the pit had been filled without having regard to the impact on the environment.
The report from the Environment Agency can be accessed here.
