Rogue waste operator costs council £20,000 in clean up

A Dorset-based man has been given a suspended prison sentence and a £20,000 fine for illegally storing and processing waste cooking oil.

Stuart Allen pleaded guilty to two offences of keeping controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution or harm to human health and failing to comply with seven anti-pollution notices.

The case was brought by the Environment Agency who worked closely with West Dorset Council in a major clean-up operation.

The clean up cost £50,000, £20,000 of which came from the council. West Dorset might launch civil proceedings against Allen to recover this money.

Cllr Ian Gardner, West Dorset Council planning portfolio holder said: ‘One of our key priorities as a council is protecting and enhancing the built and natural environment we live in.

‘As a council we take enforcement very seriously