Llanelli man left out of pocket after bonfires

A Llanelli man who ignored warnings to stop burning waste is out of pocket by more than £1,700 after being taken to court by Carmarthenshire County Council.

Over the course of several months, starting in October 2019, the council’s environmental health team were contacted by people complaining of smoke coming from waste being burned on land next to Ffos Fach Farm, in Bynea.

After investigating, the team served a notice on Steven Billings, of Morawel, Llwynhendy, warning him that he was committing an offence.

He was ordered to stop burning waste, however the complaints continued and an investigation was launched.

Despite repeated engagements, the council was left with no option other than to refer the case to court.

Billings attended Llanelli Magistrates Court on July 17, 2020, and pleaded guilty to an offence pursuant to Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act.

He was fined £1,000 for the offence and ordered to pay £658 prosecution costs with a £100 victim surcharge.

Cllr Philip Hughes, Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member for public protection and enforcement, said: “Steven Billings paid little regard to the neighbouring community and despite repeated warnings continued to cause a nuisance by burning waste.

“We always prefer that people heed our advice and respect their communities, but in instances like this there is no other option than to take it to court. Unfortunately this has resulted in a heavy penalty, which Mr Billings could have avoided.”

The council provides facilities for waste disposal, including kerbside collections, four household waste recycling centres, trade waste collections and bulky waste collections.

Information can be found at www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales.

Anyone suffering from an environmental nuisance and would like advice should contact publicprotection@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.