Criminal proceedings are underway against a 50-year-old man accused of operating an unlicensed waste facility in North Yorkshire, with the Environment Agency securing court powers to shut down the site for six months.
The defendant will appear at York Magistrates’ Court on 19 February charged with operating a regulated facility without an environmental permit at Pyethornes Farm in Wigglesworth, near Skipton.
North Yorkshire Magistrates’ Court granted the Environment Agency a Restriction Order on Wednesday 4 February, blocking access to the premises and prohibiting anyone from importing waste to the location. The order remains in force for six months, subject to certain exceptions.
The court action followed enforcement measures taken by the agency on Monday 2 February when officials served a restriction notice on the premises. Such notices can remain active for up to 72 hours, during which time authorities must apply to court for a longer-term restriction order unless the notice is withdrawn.
Ian Foster, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, stated the organisation had taken action to prevent site access whilst criminal proceedings continue. He emphasised that illegal waste activity harms communities, damages the environment and undermines legitimate waste businesses.
Foster noted that such criminality ranges from visible offences including fly tipping and illegal waste sites to more complex activity involving environmental permit breaches, money laundering and organised crime networks.
The restriction order operates under powers granted by the Environment Act 1995. Failure to comply with the order constitutes a criminal offence, with potential penalties for those who breach its terms.
The case highlights enforcement priorities for environmental regulators targeting unlicensed waste operations across the country. Businesses and householders bear responsibility for ensuring waste contractors hold proper registration and dispose of materials at permitted facilities.
The Environment Agency operates an online checking system allowing the public to verify whether a business is a registered waste carrier. This tool enables individuals and companies to conduct due diligence before engaging waste removal services.
The February court appearance will determine the next steps in criminal proceedings against the accused operator. If convicted, penalties for operating without an environmental permit can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment depending on the severity and scale of offending.
The six-month restriction order provides authorities with breathing space to complete their investigation and prepare the prosecution case whilst preventing further illegal waste deposits at the Yorkshire location. The site will remain closed to waste imports throughout this period unless the order is varied or lifted by the court.
Environmental permit requirements exist to ensure waste operations meet safety and environmental protection standards. Licensed facilities must demonstrate proper procedures for waste handling, storage and disposal to prevent pollution and protect public health.
