Phillip Taylor of Scorton, near Richmond, has been given a 12-week suspended sentence and ordered to pay £9,500 for illegally dumping 2,400 tonnes of building site waste to protect his fishing lakes from flooding.
Taylor, 70, must also remove the waste, which had been taken from housing developments and dumped on Catterick Complex beside the River Swale to form unauthorised flood defences to protect his commercial fishing lakes.
The illegal dumping of excavation waste at the Catterick Complex could displace or deflect flood water elsewhere, increasing flood risk. Taylor refused to remove the waste when directed by the EA.
Paul Glasby, the Environment Agency’s investigating officer, said: “Due to climate change flooding is becoming more frequent and severe and it’s important that landowners and businesses are aware of the legal restrictions for working in or near main rivers.
“Before doing so they must first gain authorisation from the EA so we can ensure that changes do not increase flood risk to others or damage the environment.
“Taylor showed a blatant disregard for the law and the community around him. Building unauthorised flood defences or conducting unauthorised works in a flood plain is a serious criminal offence and we are determined to take action to protect flood prone communities and the environment.”
Deputy District Judge Garland said Taylor had been given ‘repeated warnings’ and told him: “It’s clear that there was a deliberate disregard for the rules in the way you went about your business, creating a potential risk.”
The company which transported the waste to the Catterick Complex, Greenford Haulage & Aggregates Ltd, has previously been subject to an Enforcement Undertaking, donating £30,000 to Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust.
