AN illegal waste dumping site is being monitored to deter further fly-tipping, it has been confirmed.

The land in Delves Lane, Colne, has been surrounded in controversy for a number of years, having been the plagued with large-scale fly-tipping and illegal fire burning.

Earlier this month the owner of the land, John Leslie Allison, 73, was finally jailed after breaching a court order requiring him to remove tonnes of waste.

Allison, 73, had been given six months to clear all controlled waste from his land but failed to do so by the June 2018 deadline

Appearing before Judge Philip Parry at Preston Crown Court Allison, of Southfield Lane, Colne, was jailed for six months.

Now the Environment Agency has said it is jointly working alongside Pendle Council, the fire service and police to jointly tackle illegal waste activities impacting on residents in Colne.

An EA spokesman said the waste materials still remain on site, but partner organisations are working together to ensure no further waste deposits are made.

Philip Mousdale, Pendle Council’s corporate director said: “The penalties for fly tipping are steep and anyone found guilty faces an unlimited fine or even a sentence of up to five years in prison. Waste is often collected from local people’s homes where DIY work has been done – have you checked where your waste is going?

“If a person fly tips or illegally dumps waste they have collected from your house then you could be prosecuted and fined. Remember, you are legally required to make sure that any waste you get rid of is not at risk of being fly-tipped,” he warned.

John Neville, Lancashire environment manager at the EA, said: “With the Easter Bank Holiday weekend upon us and many people embarking on DIY projects and getting ready for summer, it’s an appropriate time to remind householders they have a duty of care to check that anyone taking away their waste is registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency. This includes hired builders and contractors who offer to take the waste away as part of their service."

Anyone with concerns about illegal or suspicious activity in their area can contact the police on 101.

Environmental incidents can be reported to the Environment Agency 24/7 on 0800 807060.