Scrapyard at the centre of row over ‘nuisance’ fires
COUNCIL bosses have issued an appeal to a landowner to stop the burning of materials following complaints from residents.
The Observer reported last month how council officers executed a warrant at T H Smith & Sons scrapyard on Meadow Street in Great Harwood with support from Lancashire Police, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency.
However, the company told the Observer that the fire had ‘nothing to do with T H Smith & Sons Ltd’, was not on their licensed premises and was instead on woodland at the back.
Hyndburn council said the matter was discussed with the scrapyard firm and an abatement notice was served, however the fires have continued.
They have now secured a further warrant from the magistrates court to re-visit the site.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware that there have been numerous complaints to the council, police and fire service about smoke and fumes caused by fires at these premises.
“This is causing a real nuisance to residents in Great Harwood and Clayton-le-Moors and we would again appeal to those responsible to show consideration for those that they are affecting and stop burning materials at this site.
“The situation has been discussed with the landowner and an abatement notice has been served to try and prevent the nuisance that is being caused.
“Unfortunately, the fires have continued despite the abatement notice and the council has now secured a further warrant from the courts that will enable entry to the site when a statutory nuisance is being caused.
“The council, police and fire service have already executed a previous warrant to enter the site and put out a fire that was causing smoke and fumes but regrettably fires have continued at the site.
“This is not a situation that can be allowed to continue and the agencies concerned will take all appropriate action to deal with those responsible.
“In the meantime we would again appeal to those concerned to stop burning materials at the site.”
Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson told an area forum meeting last month that he wanted to get the matter resolved ‘as quickly as possible’.
He said environmental health officers had been ‘abused’ and needed a police presence.