A MAN who ran an illegal dump in the green belt for more than a decade is paying the price after being ordered to pay £35,000 in fines and costs.
Roger Phipps, 70, ran the “organised” waste disposal and car breakers yard for more than ten years from the 24-acre Michelins Farm site he owns off the A127 on the border with Basildon and Rayleigh.
Chelmsford Crown Court today heard tonnes of commercial waste were regularly burnt on the land where Phipps lives in a ramshackle mobile home, sending thick black smoke and poisonous gasses billowing over the A127 and posing a potential health hazard.
Judge David Turner QC also ordered Phipps to completely clear the site of all waste over the next 12 months or face being jailed for contempt of court.
Anyone running a waste site must be licensed by the Environment Agency and have full planning permission to limit risk of environmental damage.
Phipps was also given an eight month suspended jail sentence and 180 hours community service.
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