A Northumberland man has received a suspended custodial sentence for running an illegal waste operation, following an Environment Agency investigation. Dominic Allan, 30, of Old Swarland, was sentenced at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Friday 19 December for two counts of operating a waste site without an environmental permit.
According to the Environment Agency, Allan had previously pleaded guilty on 16 October. The prosecution was brought under regulations 12(1)(a) and 38(1) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, which require a permit for most waste activities and make unauthorised operation a criminal offence.
The court imposed a 23‑week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, alongside 16 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and an order to pay £3,154 in costs. Allan was also directed to remove all remaining waste from the land by 30 June 2026; failure to comply will result in his return to court.
Environment Agency officers first attended the Old Swarland site on 24 July 2024 after reports of waste activity. They observed scrap vehicles, mixed construction and demolition waste, garden and household waste, and signs of burning. Officers advised Allan to cease operations and clear the land.
Allan told officers he did not realise a permit was required, said he was not operating a waste site, and claimed many vehicles belonged to an associate renting part of the compound. He indicated an intention to apply for an environmental permit, which is needed for most storage, treatment or disposal of waste.
Subsequent checks of Allan’s social media activity in summer 2024 showed offers of waste collection services and sales of parts from scrap vehicles. On a follow‑up visit in August 2024, officers found waste remained on site, including scrap vehicles, mixed household and construction waste, and plasterboard, identified by the Agency as hazardous waste. A further visit in October found the gates locked and a plume of smoke from within, with little sign of clearance. A final inspection in March 2025 again recorded no meaningful removal of waste.
The Environment Agency said Allan knew the activity was unlawful and reiterated that permits exist to safeguard communities and the environment. The Agency stated it will continue to pursue waste crime through inspections, advice, and court action where necessary.
The court was told Allan had a prior history at the same location. In August 2021 he received a 12‑month prison sentence, was ordered to pay £1,000 costs and given 18 months to clear the site after admitting offences of operating a waste site without a permit and burning waste.
For operators and landowners, the case underlines the effect of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. Most waste operations-such as storing, sorting, treating or dismantling scrap vehicles-are ‘regulated facilities’ requiring a permit in advance. Burning waste is unlawful and attracts criminal sanctions. Where hazardous materials such as plasterboard are present, the compliance threshold is higher given the risk of harm.
The immediate compliance milestone is 30 June 2026. The order requires full removal of waste by that date; if Allan does not comply, the court can consider further action in addition to any ongoing Environment Agency enforcement.