David House, 72, of Poole, has pleaded guilty to causing smoke nuisance at Frenches Farm, Watery Lane, Poole.
Mr House entered his plea of guilty at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court for three incidents in 2013 which caused a smoke nuisance contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
On July, 2012 Purbeck District Council issued an Abatement Notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 instructing Mr House not to burn waste likely to cause nuisance.
However, Mr House continued to break the terms of the notice. Council officers witnessed nuisance from the burning of green waste, plastics and rubber on three occasions between August and November 2013.
The Council started legal proceedings in January 2014 and on 6 October the case was heard at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court.
Councillor Mrs Gloria Marsh MBE, Environment Spokesperson for Purbeck District Council, said: “Large bonfires can cause particular nuisance to neighbouring properties, especially in the summer months when smoke can prevent people from enjoying their garden and can affect air quality.
“The most environmental friendly way to get rid of rubbish is by composting, recycling or taking your rubbish to the tip. If used responsibly, the occasional garden waste bonfire should not cause a problem, but as this case shows, the Council can and will take action against people who persistently cause a nuisance with large bonfires.”
Taking into account Mr House’s financial circumstances, his outstanding fines and his age, he received a three year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15. The Magistrates made it clear to Mr House that if he re-offends or fails to pay an instalment of his fines at any time in the next three years, he will be re-sentenced for the breaches of the abatement notice.
