He ‘operated outside the permissions granted to him’
A registered waste carrier in Hull has been prosecuted after burning waste and fly-tipping mattresses. Andrew Pearson, trading as Kingston Clearances, of Paragon Street, admitted a number of offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
They included unlawful treatment of waste by burning it in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health, unlawful deposit of wastes, by fly-tipping two mattresses, and failure to produce controlled waste transfer notes. The offences were committed between January and May last year.
They came to light after complaints were made of dark smoke from fires affecting the public. Pearson, 61, admitted the offences at Hull Magistrates’ Court in December.
Hull City Council‘s investigations found that waste was being unlawfully burnt without an environmental permit at the site of the former Darleys pub site at the corner of Porter Street and William Street. Pearson had a registered waste carrier licence, but that licence did not allow him to burn waste.
Evidence was collected through CCTV footage, which identified the vehicles and individuals involved. Enforcement officers inspected the site and found evidence of waste that had been transferred from domestic properties.
In response, the council served a planning enforcement notice requiring the land to be cleared and all unlawful activity to cease. The works required under the planning enforcement notice was complied with and the planning case was closed in May 2025.
However, Pearson failed to provide waste transfer notes to the council when he was requested to do so. A business that produces, disposes or arranges the transfer of waste has a legal duty to supply such notes to the authority when asked to provide them.
Meanwhile, further CCTV evidence linked him to fly-tipping two mattresses on Grafton Street, which the council later removed at a cost to taxpayers. The authority then referred the case for prosecution.
Mr Pearson was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £2,125, as well as being given a criminal record.
Councillor Charles Quinn, portfolio holder for environment at Hull City Council, said: “Despite being a registered waste carrier, Mr Pearson operated outside the permissions granted to him. He failed to comply with legal requirements, unlawfully burned waste, and fly-tipped.
“This prosecution shows that we will take firm action against anyone who commits environmental offences relating to the disposal of waste.”