A Highland company has been fined £32,100 after a Scottish Environment Protection Agency investigation found it had dumped waste in a pond without any environmental authorisation.
Between April 2018 and February 2024, Pat Munro (Alness) Limited disposed of controlled waste at Caplich Quarry, Alness, without a waste management licence in place authorising the activity.
Satellite imagery examined by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) showed ‘significant changes’ to the area over the six years.
In April 2018, much of the former quarry area was filled with water; however, over time, images showed the area being progressively infilled until very little water remained.
As part of the investigation, trial pits were excavated and controlled waste, including soil, stone, plastic, timber, metal, glass and road plannings, was discovered to have been disposed of up to a depth of three metres.
LiDAR technology was also used to assess the scale of the infilling, with SEPA estimating the tonnage deposited above the previous water level to be 20,000 tonnes.
Commenting on the case, Calum McGregor, Unit Manager of SEPA’s Environmental Crime Team, said: “Controlled waste was used to progressively fill a former pond at this site over almost six years without the environmental authorisation required.”
“Our investigation established both the scale of the activity and what had been disposed of at the site.”
“This penalty reflects the seriousness of failing to comply with waste regulations and sends a clear message that SEPA will take action where those requirements are not complied with.”
Pat Munro (Alness) Limited were issued with a £32,100.81 Variable Monetary Penalty (VMP).
VMP’s are a discretionary financial penalty which SEPA can impose for relevant environmental offences following an appropriate investigation.
