John Jones Civil Engineering & Groundworks Ltd was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £50,000 at Hereford Magistrates’ Court on 3 July 2018 after pleading guilty to illegally depositing waste at Bage Farm in Herefordshire.

The case was brought under the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2010 following an Environment Agency investigation which discovered that the company had illegally deposited in excess of 5,000 tonnes of soil, stone, brick, and concrete between July and October 2014.

The illegal waste disposal injured and killed a number of great-crested newts, which are a European protected species, that inhabited the land.

The company had also previously received a caution for environmental offences committed in 2010 and 2011.

This case highlights the importance of ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

If you should have any questions about your legal obligations in relation to Environmental regulations and need a specialist environmental solicitor, call James Lowe, our Regulatory and Licensing Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance.