Landowner who ignored warnings to clear up waste which spilled onto pavement fined
A Leicestershire landowner has been fined after he ignored repeated warnings to clear up waste stored on his property which spilled on to an adjoining pavement. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) said today (Wednesday, January 22) that its officials had tried to contact Matthew Farrell on a number of occasions since the end of May 2024, but he did not respond.
The council said the case was heard at Leicester Magistrates' Court earlier this month, but Farrell, of Trinity Lane, Hinckley, did not appear and was convicted in his absence. The authority told the court that the waste presented a potential risk to the public.
Council officers cleared the pavement on one occasion, but the waste continued to spill onto it, the authority said. It served a Community Protection Notice (CPN) on Farrell, requiring him to remedy the problem. However, the situation continued and the matter was brought before the court.
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Farrell was fined £660 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £262, the council said. Councillor Lynda Hodgkins, HBBC's executive member for parks, open spaces and neighbourhood services, said: "Community Protection Notices are vital to improving quality of life for members of the community.
"I hope that this case shows that we simply will not allow residents to ignore rules and continue to adversely impact the lives of other people. Cases like this can be so easily avoided. There are many reputable waste carriers out there, and the council offers a whole range of different waste collection services."
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