The accused are facing months-long prison terms, as well as monetary fines.
The prosecution focuses on the egregious illegal dumping of waste at Bonnie Braes Farm in Staffordshire, spanning from March 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, the U.K. Environment Agency said Tuesday in a statement.
Over 100,000 tonnes of waste was unlawfully deposited there, including substantial amounts of excavation waste, mixed refuse, and even asbestos, illustrating the brazen disregard for environmental and safety regulations.
The agency said the sheer volume of waste deposited there resulted in a significant elevation of the land, raising it by six to seven meters in height. Additionally, heightened concern was expressed regarding the potential risk of damaging the gas distribution pipeline situated beneath Bonnie Braes Farm, posing further potential complications and hazards.
The weight of the waste had far-reaching consequences beyond the gas pipeline, including damage to a culvert on the site, which ultimately collapsed and led to substantial flooding during periods of heavy rain. Moreover, the operation of the site resulted in significant disruption to nearby lanes ill-equipped for large vehicles, exacerbating the issue with mud tracking from the site onto the roads, the agency stated.
“Illegal waste sites like this, undermine legitimate businesses, undercut their prices, and blight the environment,” according to an Environment Agency spokesperson.
