'We don't feel safe next to illegal waste site'

Owners of a Sheffield wholesale business have spoken of their distress working next to a site "overflowing" with piles of waste.

A restriction order has been taped to the premises of M White (Skips) Ltd on Worthing Road in Attercliffe, banning anyone from entering or depositing waste on the site, since 2023.

The government has committed to directly funding the clean-up of the site as part of a new measures targeting illegal dumping, with tougher enforcement powers for the Environment Agency.

Geoff Howarth, 53, from City Wholesale, said over the years piles of wood, metal and plastic had encouraged "huge rats", with waste piled up so high it had "burst through" a fence dividing the businesses.

"It's just got worse and worse over the years," Howarth said.

"Skips and skips of rubbish are just dumped there getting higher and higher.

"The smell in the summer is awful."

The wholesaler, which has been run by the family for 43 years, had to be rebuilt in 2013 after a fire, but Howarth said they had suffered more "stress" from the waste.

"We can see old gas canisters stacked up here with wooden pallets and all sorts. It doesn't feel safe," he said.

"My mum's 74, she's not enough years left in her to survive another fire. I'm not sure I do either."

A restriction order from Sheffield Magistrates' Court stuck to the front of the business on Worthing Road explains that it is an offence for anyone to enter the premises or dispose of waste under the Environment Act 1995.

The order has been continuously extended since 9 March 2023.

The government has identified the Attercliffe among three of the worst waste sites in the country alongside others in Wigan and Lancashire, with all three combined responsible for 48,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste.

It has asked the Environment Agency to "clean up" the sites directly.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: "Waste criminals have been damaging our communities, countryside, environment and economy for too long.

"This action plan sends a clear message: dump illegally and you will face the full consequences.

"Waste criminals will be forced to join clean-up squads and made to pay for the clearing of illegal waste sites.

"We will give enforcement officers new police-style powers to bring offenders to justice."

As part of a new 10-point plan also published last week, the Environment Agency set out how it would act earlier to address illegal activity and deliver more consistent enforcement action.

This includes making greater use of restriction notices - powers that can shut down an illegal waste operation immediately. Any operator who ignores a restriction notice faces up to 51 weeks in prison.

Agency chief executive Philip Duffy said: "We will act earlier, faster and smarter by shutting down illegal sites before they become established, using our powers decisively to strip rogue operators of their permits, and working with police, HMRC and councils to go after criminal assets.

"These measures will ensure we stay one step ahead of waste criminals and protect the communities, businesses and environment that they blight."

The BBC has been unable to contact M White (Skips) Ltd for comment.

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