REPEATEADLY dumping and setting fire to rubbish on land next to a haven for wild birds has cost a man more than £2,500 in fines.

Jamie Rose could give no justification why he continued to illegally burn potentially toxic waste on a plot of land near a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) over eight months last year, despite being warned against it by the Environment Agency (EA).

Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard that Rose, 30, of Fulbeck Road in Middlesbrough, who was a partner in a waste disposal business, deliberately dumped and burned refuse including car tyres at plot four, Hope Street Industrial Estate, Haverton Hill, Stockton.

The site is next to Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area which protects rare and vulnerable birds, including regularly migrating species.

Prosecuting for the EA, Chris Bunting said that permits - usually very expensive - were needed to store rubbish in order to prevent the risk of polluting the atmosphere and, other than in exceptional circumstances, the burning of household and commercial waste was strictly forbidden.

On January 15 officers from the Environment Agency first visited the site and saw piles of mixed household waste and enquiries revealed there was neither an environmental permit nor any exemptions in place for the site and by August the business was still continuing to be illegally run.

“When he was interviewed under caution he fully admitted not having a permit and that he was responsible for burning waste,” said Mr Bunting. “It seemed he was naively unaware of the environmental restrictions.”

Rose, who pleaded guilty to two charges environmental permitting regulations was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a requirement to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, and with six-month probation supervision. He was also ordered to pay £2526.25 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. Representing himself in court, he offered no reasons why he flouted the law.

Following the hearing, Dave Edwardson from the EA said: “It’s vital anyone wanting to deposit, store and dispose of waste has the relevant permits in place so we can ensure any risks to the environment are closely monitored and controlled.

“Rose was warned that he needed a permit for his activities but continued to run his operation regardless.

“Waste crime has a detrimental impact on local communities and the environment and in this case the site was right next to a protected area and could have had implications on the wildlife.”