Cambridge household fined £300 after rubbish found dumped in Little Shelford

A Cambridge household was fined £300 after its rubbish was found dumped in Little Shelford.

The waste, which included four car tyres, polystyrene packaging, and other household rubbish, was discovered on Whittlesford Road in July by a passer-by, who reported it to South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Its environmental crime enforcement team visited and found a name and address on a takeaway food bag. The homeowner was interviewed under caution and could not explain how the rubbish was dumped.

A fixed penalty notice of £400 was issued, reduced to £300 for prompt payment.

The fine was for failing to prevent any other person committing a fly tipping offence and failing to ensure that all reasonable measures were taken by the household to secure their waste or to prevent anyone else committing a fly tipping offence with it.

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s lead cabinet member for environment, Cllr Brian Milnes, said: “Unfortunately, this is another example of someone not taking responsibility for their rubbish. If you have rubbish from home to dispose of, take it to a household recycling centre like those at Milton or Thriplow, or use a business or contractor licensed as a waste carrier by the Environment Agency.

“This means that you can be confident that they will dispose of it legally and responsibly. Local Facebook groups are filled with people asking for someone to take their rubbish away – so it’s vital that anyone who offers that service is a licensed waste carrier. If they are not, and you use them, you could end up with a fine and even a criminal record.”