A Tonyrefail hairdresser has been prosecuted for allowing his building waste to be dumped in a well-known beauty spot, following a successful investigation by the Council’s Streetcare Enforcement Team.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council prosecuted James Peters of LA Barbers, High Street, Tonyrefail at Rhondda Magistrates’ Court after he allowed the dumping of building waste generated from renovations to his business at a beauty spot in Clydach Vale, Tonypandy.
On Wednesday May 27th 2009 one of the Council’s Enforcement Officers received a report from Clydach Vale Communities First Team regarding fly tipping at the top lake car park in Clydach Vale.
The Officer visited the popular beauty spot and discovered bags of builders waste, a large quantity of wood and shop sign. Amongst the waste a leaflet advertising Peters’ business in Tonyrefail was also found.
Peters, who lives at Lloyd Street, Gelli, attended a formal interview at the Streetcare Enforcement Offices and admitted that the waste discovered came from renovation work undertaken on his business.
He added that one of his customers took the waste away for him and he didn’t check whether the individual was a registered waste carrier. When asked the name of the customer, Peters said he did not know.
Peters was prosecuted under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act for the offence of not complying with a duty of care in respect of the disposal of waste which resulted in the waste being flytipped.
Peters pleaded guilty to the offences and was fined £200 with £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Director of Streetcare Nigel Wheeler explained: “The illegal disposal and failure to control commercial waste is a problem throughout the county borough, which can have a detrimental impact on the environment and human health.
“As well as creating unsightly environmental conditions, the incorrect disposal of commercial waste leads to increased litter and can attract vermin.
“Individuals who fail to comply with their duty of care to dispose of the commercial waste correctly are responsible for undermining legitimate waste management activities. This results in licensed operators having to charge law-abiding members of the public and businesses more for waste disposal.
“In addition, the clean up costs of the increased litter and waste places a financial burden on the local authority, which inevitably ends up getting passed on to taxpayers.”
