Keepers Paddock, Middlemarsh High Risk Illegal Waste Site 590_11_SD15
Introduction Site operated by father and son Site occupied for five years Small rural location, 10 miles from Dorchester on main A352 road to Sherborne Formally a stable block, made into dwelling Also on site was 15 year old girl, daughter of property owner.
Background Family lived on site for five years Dispute with neighbour over boundary fence Son delivered cooking oils for a reputable company Father involved in waste cooking oils Father had been given advice and guidance over a number of years about waste Two previous sites had been damaged beyond repair House previously occupied had been declared unfit for human habitation
Agency Becomes Aware Information from Dorset Police regarding risks to highway Concern from Dorset Fire & Rescue following fire safety visit Locals had raised general concerns with Local Authority Site being dealt with by West Dorset District Council’s Planning Enforcement Officers as breach of planning. Complaint from nearby property that activities were impacting on local watercourse. Biodiesel production alerts HMRC All in October/November 2014
Development Work Intelligence Gathering Risk assessments – occupier known to be violent and suggestion of weapons Previous history with Environment Agency Concern for welfare of 15 year old female on site Police investigating serious criminal offences Local issues within community between residents Scale of operation – who is to be involved in operation?
Intelligence Known warnings Photographs of persons concerned Fill in knowledge gaps Apply for a Magistrates Warrant Liaison with police regarding arrests Prep officers on roles and responsibilities Timescale
Who was involved? 8 Environment Agency Officers, making search teams, interview teams and sampling teams 4 police officers 4 HMRC officers, for Customs and Revenue offences Dorset Social Services Police Custody officers Dorset County Highways West Dorset District Council EHO and Planning Officers
Why? One organisation can no longer fight the good fight on their own Welfare of individuals, officers and community as a whole Who is best placed to take enforcement action? Differing powers and responsibilities Long term strategy to be looked at – site clearance, follow up enquiries and court action. So why did the site need to be dealt with this way?
Site From Above
The Great British Scrape Off
Clear At Last
The Outcome Sentenced at Taunton Crown Court 15 July 2016 following guilty pleas to two offences 10 Year Criminal Behaviour Order 200 hours Community Service Order 4 months imprisonment, suspended 2 years Costs £20,000 (or seizure of land). BUT……………..
There’s always a but….. Local Authority clear-up of site significant costs Breached High Court Injunction 4 times Moved back onto property following ‘advice’ from solicitor Close to breaching restraining orders on other matters Possible breach of Criminal Behaviour Order High Court awaits for original non-compliances Therefore, alas the saga continues……………..
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