A man who burned waste on a site at Wood Lane, Carlton, has been ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling over £3,500, following a case brought to Barnsley Magistrates Court by our Regulatory Services team.

Craig Bennett (42) of George Street, South Hiendley, appeared in court on 19 October, where he was found guilty of burning controlled waste, and was prosecuted under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Regulatory Services were made aware that Mr Bennett was burning waste at the Wood Lane site following complaints.

When officers visited the site on 31 May 2023, they found that waste was being burned, resulting in large plumes of black smoke.

Magistrates found this action to be reckless, and Mr Bennett was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £800 and legal costs of £733 - totalling £3,533.

Anna Hartley, Executive Director for Public Health and Communities, said: “Burning waste in this way is totally unacceptable. It can have a serious impact on local communities and cause untold damage to the environment.

“We will always seek to prosecute those who think that environmental protection laws do not apply to them. There are several safer and legal alternatives to dispose of waste.”