Tons of waste removed from eyesore Black Country plant
Tons?of waste have been removed from a recycling site – despite its former operator being stuck behind bars for failing to reduce the mountains.
Following months of legal battles between the Environment Agency and Refuse Derived Fuel Ltd, the company director Robert McNaughton was sent to jail for six months for not complying with court orders.
But despite his absence, work has finally started to clear the construction and mixed waste in Brierley Hill – with 15 per cent of the total waste from the site thought to have already gone.
The waste removed was stored in bales at the front of the site. It did not include rubbish from the 19ft high rubbish pile.
The Environment Agency said the work was being carried out by the landlords of the site in Moor Street.
Catherine Ellis, spokesman for The Environment Agency, said: "The landowners of the RDF Ltd site, Brierley Hill have informed us that they have removed the waste bales at the front of the site.
"We are pleased about this positive development and are currently checking that those bales were properly disposed of." She added: "The priority has always been to get the site cleared. We are committed to making those responsible pay for their actions and will continue to work to make this happen."
The move comes just a month after Mr McNaughton was imprisoned for contempt of court at Birmingham High Court.
Mr McNaughton had breached an order to clear the site of rubbish by September 10. He was jailed despite claiming he had tried his 'utmost' to clear the site, and was restrained by heavy company debts.
After the hearing, David Hudson, the Environment Agency's environment manager, said he would continue to push for the site to be cleared. The work by the landlords to take the rubbish away took place last Thursday and Friday.
Brierley Hill Councillor Zafar Islam said he was surprised by the removal of waste, but hopeful it would lead to the start of clearance for the whole site. He said: "One hopes this will continue and the unsightly amount of waste comes down to provide relief to everyone who has suffered.
"We have been concerned about the site for many years – but thanks to the persistent approach of the Environment Agency, it looks like we might finally be getting results."
He added: "I must say, after Mr McNaughton was jailed, it surprises me that waste is being removed, but then the landowners have duty for the site and the call to remove it falls on them also."
At the High Court hearing last month, couple Jeffrey and Maureen Clarke wrote a statement describing how the towering waste pile had blighted their neighbourhood.
Today, Mr Clarke, aged 70, of Carder Drive, said: "It's a start, but that stuff is easily removable, the main concern is the rubbish pile. We don't know how long it's going to take, but with McNaughton's absence it really isn't helping the situation. The Environment Agency doesn't want to spend tax-payers money clearing the site, but something needs to be done."
