Some of the fly-tipped rubbish
A rapid response from Ashford’s Environmental Enforcement Team to a report from a member of the public of a fly-tip in Steeds Lane at Kingsnorth has resulted in a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) being handed to a man living in Hothfield.
The fly-tip was reported to Ashford Borough Council on 1 October 2023 and an officer visited the rural site the next day. Waste pulled from a ditch next to a layby consisted of empty bottles of screen wash, coolant, engine oil, a car headlight, part of an vehicle exhaust system and brake
pads.
The officer sifted through the waste and found evidence linked to a man living in Hothfield – just over six miles from the fly-tip site.
During an interview under caution on 20 November at the Civic Centre, the Hothfield resident confirmed that all of the fly-tipped waste belonged to him. He explained that he cleared out his
garage and left the items outside of his garage. He could not give an explanation as to how his items ended up dumped in Steeds Lane.
For failing in his householder duty of care in relation to the proper disposal of his waste, he was given a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice (reduced to £300 if paid within 14 days).
A spokesman for the Environmental Enforcement team said:
“It is vital that householders adhere to their duty of care and always ask to see the Waste Carriers Environment Agency licence if using somebody to remove your waste. Always get a receipt or invoice for any payments of services made and always ensure that it has the full contact details of the service provider.
“If your waste is fly-tipped and we discover that you have failed carry out the necessary checks
then you face a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice!”
Households and also businesses have a legal duty of care when it comes to what happens to their waste. Before using someone to dispose of your rubbish you must carry out checks to ensure that
the waste collectors are registered with the Environmental Agency and carry an authorised licence.
Beware rogue waste carriers
The Ashford team warn that fly-tippers often target households via social media or local advertising, luring customers in with cheap rates to dispose of unwanted furniture, building rubble
or garden waste. But these unlicensed waste carriers often simply dump the waste wherever they can get away with it, including in Ashford’s country lanes.
Householders or small businesses found to be using these rogues to dispose of their waste can be prosecuted by the Council, with FPNs of up to £400 per offence. Failure to pay may result in court
action.
You can check whether someone is licensed to carry waste by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 or visit their website at:
environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers
It also helps if householders receive a written receipt or transfer note, including contact details, description of waste removed and details of where the waste is being taken to
Report fly-tipping
Many of the leads that end with offenders being caught come from residents alerting the Council’s team to fly-tipping incidents by using the Report It page on our website – see
https://www.ashford.gov.uk/environmental-concerns/report-a-street-issue/fly-tipping/report-a-street-issue/fly-tipping/