Accumulations of
waste
The Environment Health team has powers to deal with
accumulations of rubbish that may be a public health nuisance.
If an accumulation is likely to harbour or attract rodents,
or present a health risk for humans, a legal notice can be served
making the owner subject to enforcement action. This action can
either be voluntary removal of the refuse accumulation or legal
action in the form of a statutory notice.
If the legal notice is not complied with, the council can
arrange for the work to be carried out in default . If
this occurs the person(s) responsible for the land would be
then be charged for the cost of the work and they may also
be prosecuted for their failure to comply with the legal
notice.
If you have a problem with accumulation of rubbish that has
been dumped in private or domestic or commercial property.
The
Environmental Health Department has powers to deal with any
accumulation or deposit arising on private,
domestic or commercial property, which is prejudicial to health or
a nuisance (Environmental Protection Act 1990) or is, or is likely
to, harbour or attract rodents (Prevention of Damage by Pest Act
1949).
Where the owner or occupier of the land is unwilling to
cooperate with advice, and informal requests to remove the
accumulation are ignored the Environmental Health team may take
formal enforcement action and serve an Abatement Notice requiring
them to remove it within a specified period of time.
The scope of the notice will vary, depending upon
circumstances and may also stipulate specific 'works' or
maintenance schedules to keep the land or property free from
rodents and in a manner that will not cause a Statutory
Nuisance.
Failure to comply with the Abatement Notice is an offence and
carries a maximum fine of £5,000 if the property is domestic
and £20,000 where the property is commercial.
If the accumulation is not removed in accordance with
the specifications of the Abatement Notice the Environmental
Health Department may carry out one or both of the
following;
- arrange for removal of the accumulation and recover all reasonable costs incurred (including Officers time) from the person on whom the Notice was served.
- prosecute the person on whom the notice was served
Information is also available on waste
disposal by businesses.
For further information, please contact the
Pollution Control team.