At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, on 17 August 2001, James Cunningham trading as Beaver Waste Management, pleaded guilty to a charge under section 33(1)(b) Environmental Protection Act 1990 of keeping controlled waste at a site within the Clippens Yard, Straiton Road, Loanhead, Edinburgh, without a Waste Management Licence. Mr Cunningham was fined £1,000.

SEPA reported Mr Cunningham to the Procurator Fiscal as, despite repeated warnings regarding his unlicensed activities, Mr Cunningham had continued his operations at the site without applying to SEPA for a licence.

Officers involved in the prosecution advise that all waste should be taken to an appropriately licenced facility for treating, keeping or disposal of waste, where the activities are controlled through conditions within the site licence to ensure protection of the environment.

Alan Harper, Senior Environment Protection Officer of SEPA’s Edinburgh team said:

“SEPA prefers to work with industry to prevent pollution but will use its legislative powers where necessary. This fine should serve as a warning to other businesses in the area to manage their waste properly.”

ENDS