Council prosecutes statutory nuisance

A Blackburn resident has been ordered to pay a total of £656 after failing to dispose of his household waste correctly.

Mr Knagg, of Wellington Road, was charged under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The offence dates back to March, when officers visited Mr Knagg to investigate complaints alleging that his back yard was full of waste and overflowing bins, and was causing vermin. They found quantities of loose and bagged waste, and deemed the conditions to be a statutory nuisance.

Mr Knagg failed to comply with attempts to resolve the matter informally, and also failed to respond to a legal notice instructing him to remove the waste.

He was found guilty in his absence at the Magistrates Court, and fined £200 in addition to costs of £342 awarded to the council, £94 of compensation for the clearance of the waste, and a victim surcharge of £20.

Cllr Jim Smith said “The council will always take decisive action against residents who deliberately cause a nuisance by making our Borough an untidy place to live. I welcome the Court’s decision in this case, and hope that this case serves as a deterrent to others who may do the same. I would, however, like to take this opportunity to thank the majority of our residents who do care about the appearance of their town and Borough.’