Fly-tippers fined after blighting Peak District beauty spot

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Monday, November 16, how Zubair Kahn, 42, and Richard Mansell, 33, were spotted by an off-duty police officer and an estates ranger in a van before they were seen dumping waste at Sheepwash Bank, at Stanage Edge.

Prosecuting solicitor Katie Hamill, representing Derbyshire Dales District Council, said: “Off-duty police officer Hayden Cox observed a van driving towards Stanage Edge and due to fly-tipping in the area he contacted the estates ranger who observed the vehicle before Dennis Knoll carpark. The ranger saw them pull out rubbish from the rear of the vehicle and he contacted Pc Cox who attended with two other officers.”

The court heard how Kahn and Mansell travelled from Sheffield to Sheepwash Bank on March 17 to dump wood, carpets and household waste.

Kahn apologised, according to Ms Hamill, and told officers he had been removing waste from his home with Mansell. Ms Hamill said Khan claimed he had been told about the location in a pub and did not know dumping there was not allowed.

Defence solicitor Kevin Tomlinson said once Kahn and Mansell were discovered they returned the waste to the vehicle and Kahn contacted Sheffield City Council to dispose of it legally.

Mr Tomlinson added: “Fortunately, this incident was dealt with promptly and avoided any long-term harm.”

Kahn, of Wostenholm Road, Sheffield, and Mansell, of Rockingham Street, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to depositing waste against environmental regulations.

Both were fined £320 each and each ordered to pay £383 costs and a victim surcharge of £32.

Ms Hamill explained the area concerned is of high conservation value for ecology, rare birds and moorland and is of special scientific importance and has European Union protection.

She said that between January and March there were 12 incidents of fly-tipping in the Sheepwash Bank location of Stanage Edge.

Ms Hamill said: “This offence took place in the Peak District National Park which is an area of outstanding natural beauty enjoyed by millions of visitors.

“It is a 542 hectare estate and is an area of high conservation value for its ecology, rare birds and moorland and is of special scientific importance with EU protection.

“The area currently has half-a-million visitors a year and fly-tipping has an impact on people being able to enjoy the area.”

Ms Hamill explained that fly-tipping has increased nationally by 25per cent over the last year with 825,000 incidents reported every year with only 2,000 convictions.

She added: “It costs Derbyshire Dales £8,000 to £9,000 a year to deal with fly-tipping and this has an impact on the tax payer.”