Firm dumped this mess at my back garden...and all they got was a £600 fine
Liz hits out at court’s sanction for flytipping
Jack thomson
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lynsey.gair@reachplc.com kirsteen.brown@trinitymirror.com 0141 309 4312 A Paisley woman has been left fuming by a paltry fine handed to a company responsible for dumping a mess at her back garden.
Liz Wilson lives in Well Street, in the west end of town, looks over the eyesore of discarded rubbish when she steps onto the decking of her home.
Paisley Westend Ltd were responsible for the mess and were hit with a £ 600 fine for unauthorised dumping of refuse and waste at Paisley Sheriff Court.
However Liz, who has been recovering from a stroke, said she has been left “stunned” by the soft punishment.
Liz appeared as a witness during the case alongside the Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA). She said she has been fighting against flytipping for six years.
Liz said: “The rubbish is still there. I’m annoyed because it’s nothing. I wanted them to get more.
“I feel like they have got away with it. I don’t think it will stop them.”
The 51- year- old had previously considered leaving her home and moving elsewhere as the stress of the situation had blighted her recovery.
However, she has refused to give in to the flytipping and said she will fight on to make sure her home is a place where she can relax.
She added: “I love this flat and my landlord is good. I don’t feel able to move just now because of my health.
“I need this to stop so I wanted more of a fine. I don’t know what £600 is going to do. I wanted the sheriff to order a clearing up of the plant.
“I’m angry and stunned by the decision. I’ve no option but to continue to fight it.
“It’s a mess and the company should clear it up. That’s all I want.
“It’s not a message. You can dump anything and you only get a £600 fine. They didn’t even turn up at court.”
A spokeswoma n for Renfrewshire Council said: “We are aware that there has been flytipping left in the area and are working with SEPA as the lead regulator to resolve this matter.
“The flytipping does not contain any harmful materials and does not pose a health risk.
“We have issued enforcement notices to the site owner operating in the area to remove waste and leave the site in a cleared, clean and tidy condition.
“We have also reported the owners for non-compliance of these enforcement notices to the Procurator Fiscal, which has resulted in a conviction.
“We will continue to work with SEPA and the site owner on this matter.”