A resident has been prosecuted following an investigation into a serious fly-tipping incident which forms part of the council’s ongoing campaign to stop fly-tipping.
The investigation followed the discovery of a large fly-tip in Biggin Hill, which blocked the path. The dumped rubbish was found scattered across a path that leads to a plot on Oaklands Lane on 16 May 2024. Amongst the pile, which mostly consisted of construction waste and other household items, a cardboard box was also discovered, which was addressed to a resident at a central London address.
When the resident failed to respond to a legal notice requiring them to provide information about their waste disposal arrangements, prosecution followed. Laura Estrada, of Great Western Road, Westbourne Park, was found guilty at Bromley Magistrates Court and was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £440 victim surcharge and £423 in prosecution costs.
Councillor Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, said, “We are tackling the menace of fly-tipping, with the support of residents. What may not be known is that, as well as clearing reports of dumped rubbish, we also investigate who may have been responsible. These enquiries are legally significant, and recipients of notices requiring information that may assist in such investigations are required by law to respond or face prosecution, which has happened in this example.”
Councillor Page added, “This example is also a timely reminder to always make checks when asking someone else to dispose of waste on your behalf, to make sure they are bona fide.”
Residents can dispose of bulky items of waste at either of the council’s Reuse and Recycling Centres or by booking an appointment for the council to collect items direct with details on the council’s website. Residents can also choose to ask someone else to dispose of their waste, but residents are reminded to make checks to ensure the person or company is bona fide.
The Waste Regulations 2005 make householders legally responsible for ensuring their household rubbish is only passed on to an authorised person for disposal. The legislation is designed to help reduce the amount of dumped rubbish or fly-tipping. Residents can check that the person or business they are using to dispose of waste is a legally registered waste carrier.
To report fly-tipping, visit https://www.bromley.gov.uk/report.
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Notes to editors:
The defendant was found guilty in their absence at Bromley Magistrates Court on 8 October of failing to comply with Section 110 of the Environment Act 1995.
For media enquiries, please contact David Aderogba, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8466 3060 or email david.aderogba@bromley.gov.uk