A farmer took matters into his own hands when faced with a significant fly-tipping issue on his property, resulting in a court appearance. Kieran Price admitted to burning waste that had been illegally dumped on his farmland out of frustration. The sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court revealed that the land on Mill Road in Ynysybwl had become a notorious fly-tipping hotspot.
Chris Evans, prosecuting, detailed how Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had made several visits to Price’s farm over a span of two years due to numerous reports of waste dumping. Despite multiple notices served by NRW to address the issue, additional litter continued to be disposed of on the site. The extensive waste included construction and demolition materials, old tires, and various household items.
Price, 65, failed to comply with the served notices, leading to legal action. Efforts to get Price to respond to the environmental organization’s requests were met with delays and excuses. The waste on Price’s land was observed to have increased in volume over the years, with evidence of burning and improper disposal methods.
Although Price eventually took steps to secure his fields and remove a significant amount of waste, he faced charges for depositing waste without a permit and treating waste in a manner likely to cause harm. Despite expressing remorse and making efforts to rectify the situation, Price was sentenced to a community order and fined for the environmental offences.
The case highlighted the challenges faced by landowners dealing with persistent fly-tipping issues and the legal consequences of taking matters into their own hands. Price’s story serves as a cautionary tale for those grappling with illegal waste disposal on their properties and underscores the importance of proper waste management practices to protect the environment and avoid legal repercussions.