A father and son have been sentenced for operating an illegal waste site in Lancashire, following an investigation by the Environment Agency.
Paul Harrison was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.
Benjamin Harrison was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.
The Environment Agency found that they had caused unacceptable risks to the environment. Both men pleaded guilty to failing to apply for a permit as required by law.
An investigation by the Environment Agency established that thousands of tonnes of waste was brought onto the site at The Farm, Rochdale Road, Bacup, and tipped illegally.
This included significant quantities of household waste and contaminated excavation waste, the Environment Agency said.
The regulator said that it warned the men “numerous” times but neither applied for an environmental permit.
Illegal waste sites like this undermine legitimate businesses, undercut their prices, and blight the environment.
At the same time of this sentencing, Paul Harrison was sentenced in another case brought by Rossendale Borough Council and received an additional eight months’ imprisonment.
He was found guilty alongside another defendant of depositing waste in Futures Park, Bacup, without the required environmental permit.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We are glad to see the outcome of this prosecution.
“We gave extensive advice and guidance but despite this, both Paul and Benjamin Harrison failed to register for the relevant permits and accepted further waste onto the site.
“Illegal waste sites like this undermine legitimate businesses, undercut their prices, and blight the environment.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to tackle environmental crime and we are committed to ensuring that appropriate environmental standards are adhered to.”
