A FARMER who admitted illegally burning waste on his land has been ordered to pay more than £3,500 in fines and costs.

Environment Agency investigators responding to reports of large amounts of black smoke emanating from the farm owned by Stephen Anthony Suddes found a large pile of rubbish, including wood, soil, plastics and green waste.

The 52-year-old, of Thornley Pit House Farm, near Tow Law, pleaded guilty to an offence of operating a regulated waste facility without a licence between May and October, 2012.

Magistrates in Darlington heard that Suddes had a previous conviction for illegally depositing waste.

Chris Bunting, prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency, said that investigators responded to reports of black smoke in May, 2012, said they also found signs of scorched earth and smouldering ash.

Piles of untreated mixed waste were also discovered in one of the farm buildings.

In mitigation, Suddes told the magistrates that most of the burnt waste originated from his own premises rather than having been collected from other sources.

He added that some of the waste on the burned pile had been fly-tipped on his land.

But he did admit burning that along with his own rubbish.

Suddes was fined £1,600 and ordered to pay £2,909.85 in legal costs plus a £160 victim surcharge.

Speaking afterwards, Andrea Wass, environment officer at the Environment Agency, said: “The fine imposed by the court demonstrates the seriousness of environmental offences.

“Waste facilities can pose a risk to the environment and local communities if they aren’t properly managed.

“That’s why it is vital that farmers, companies and individuals work within the rules."

Anyone who suspects that waste is being disposed of by illegal burning is urged to report the matter to the Environment Agency hotline on 08000-807060.”