LAND which had been used by a company as a dumping ground for waste has finally been cleared thanks to pressure from the council.

Unauthorised importation, deposition, processing and spreading of waste materials was first reported in August 2013 on land between the intersection of the A120 and B1256 in Dunmow.

A temporary stop notice was served on the landowner, who promptly left the land, leaving the waste on site.

An enforcement notice was served in February 2015, however after a site visit in June, the land owner was prosecuted by Essex County Council at Colchester Magistrates Court.

They were fined £1,000, had to pay costs totalling £780 as well as a victim surcharge of £100.

Officers continued to monitor the site and a visit was carried out in August, where all waste was found to be removed.

Simon Walsh, Essex County Councillor responsible for environment and waste, said: “Illegal waste dumping is a blight and we will always take decisive action when it has been found to take place.

"In this instance we are pleased that the action was successful and the outcome is that the land has been cleared.

“Essex County Council takes a strong line on all illegal waste dumping and will work to prosecute the perpetrators working in partnership with other agencies where necessary.

"We would also like to remind residents and businesses that fly tipping is an extremely serious illegal activity with fines of up to £50,000.”