Three local men have been taken to court for fly-tipping offences in Wootton St Lawrence, Kempshott and Popley after enforcement action taken by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

During three separate hearings at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 October, all three men were ordered to pay fines and clear up costs for the fly-tips that took place last year.

Daniel Brittain of Whitedown Cottages, Wootton St Lawrence pleaded guilty to failing in his duty of care which led to a garden table, a pram and a case containing screwdrivers being dumped in Wootton St Lawrence. Mr Brittain admitted employing unknown persons to remove household waste items from his property in June 2024 without taking reasonable measures to check that they were authorised to do so. The court ordered him to pay a fine of £384, a victim surcharge of £154, and a contribution to prosecution and clear up costs of £430.

Ian Doran of Derwent Road, Kempshott admitted to dumping garden waste onto a grass verge in Kempshott in August 2024. Mr Doran was seen carrying out gardening work at the property before leaving the waste on the roadside. He failed to pay the fixed penalty notice and remove the waste as requested, resulting in a court appearance where he admitted the offence. He was ordered to pay a fine of £200, a victim surcharge of £80 and a contribution to the prosecution and clear up costs of £450.

David Donovan of Glastonbury Close, Basingstoke was found guilty of failing to comply with fly-tipping investigation after household items including a dining chair, waste bin, a garden umbrella and two wooden pallets and bags of garden waste were found in a wooded area behind Merton Infant School in Popley in May 2024. He was found guilty in his absence and ordered by the court to pay a fine of £1,100, a victim surcharge of £440 and costs of £587.80 after failing to attend two interviews with the council.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Residents’ Services Cllr Laura James said: “Fly-tipping is a serious offence and it is costly to the council to clear up. Where we catch people fly-tipping or failing to take the appropriate care to prevent fly-tipping, we will act and, where appropriate, take them to court.

“These cases send the message that fly-tipping is a blight on our borough and is not acceptable.”

Residents who are unsure of how to dispose of their unwanted items can visit the council’s website for advice and information https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/a-z-waste-and-recycling