Morecambe landlady fined for flytip offence

A Morecambe landlady has been fined after rubbish was illegally dumped in a quiet country lane in Lancaster.

Susan Stewart, the licensee of the Royal Hotel, Morecambe, was prosecuted by Lancaster City Council following a fly tipping incident in Green Lane, also known as Back Castle Lane, in March this year.

The council’s case, which was heard by Lancaster magistrates on Thursday 3rd December, was that Miss Stewart, who had recently moved from the Bath Hotel to the Royal Hotel, Morecambe, had waste that needed to be removed from both properties. Miss Stewart employed two men and a van to remove the rubbish, which was subsequently dumped in Lancaster.

Under environmental protection laws, anyone wanting to dispose of waste has a ‘duty of care’ and must make sure it is done so lawfully. If they employ a third party on their behalf then that person must hold a waste carriers licence.

The court heard that in this case Miss Stewart did not check that the people transporting the waste had a licence and did not receive a transfer note for the waste. She therefore failed in her duty of care and was equally liable for the flytipping.

She pleaded guilty to three offences and was fined £400 and ordered to pay £300 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

“The council is committed to maintaining the cleanliness of our district," commented Lancaster City Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for cleansing and the environment, Coun Jon Barry. "Whether it's a case like this, or someone dumping a single bin bag in a back street, fly tipping is something that spoils the appearance of the area. Once a fly tip is identified it then has to be cleaned up and investigated, all of which creates a cost to the council tax payer."

• For more details about how to make sure waste is disposed of legally visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling or call 01524 582491.