Flytipping Builder Fined £1,130 for Dumping Bath, Door & Debris

A flytipping builder who dumped waste, including a bath and a door in a country lane, has been fined £1,130 by investigators. 

Council staff sifted through the discarded debris and uncovered some paperwork that led them straight to a bathroom refurbishment where David Sanderson, 33, was a sub-contractor.

He claimed that he paid a ‘man in a transit-style tipper van’ £180 to take the waste. He told officers that he didn’t check if them man was licensed to dispose of it. The waste ultimately ended up blocking the entire lane.

Sanderson made various excuses when avoiding interviews with Sevenoaks District Council, as they were attempting to carry out their investigation.

The builder pleaded guilty to failing to dispose of controlled waste legally and failing to obtain waste transfer documentation.

He was ordered to pay £1,130 at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ court on Friday.

Sanderson was dealt an £800 fine and paid the council’s costs of £250, plus a victim surcharge of £80.

Councillor Margot McArthur, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleaner and Greener, said: “Dumping waste in country lanes is terrible for our environment, an inconvenience to drivers and costs taxpayers’ money in removal costs.

“Our residents do not accept the actions of a selfish minority who are prepared to blight our District to save a few pounds.

“We have promised to protect our local environment and, as with all fly-tipping cases, we will take the necessary action to bring offenders to justice when we have the evidence.

“This is a lesson for anyone whether a builder or a homeowner.

“If you don’t make proper checks or obtain a waste transfer note when you pay someone to remove your waste, which ends up fly-tipped, you risk prosecution.”