Three directors charged over 21,000 bales of waste with no permits

Jamie Michael Todd, Michael George Todd and Thomas Todd, who ran Leeds Paper Recycling Ltd, which recently went into liquidation, each face six charges relating to waste storage without the required environmental permits at two sites.

The men were charged as part of an Environment Agency investigation into unauthorised waste found on Goole Docks last year and in industrial units at Knostrop Depot, Old Mill Lane, Leeds.

More than 4,000 bales of household waste, originally intended for a waste recovery plant in Germany, was left at the docks last May, leading to complaints about smell and flies.

The last of the rubbish was taken to landfill in February.

At the Knostrop Depot, 17,000 bales of waste were found in two buildings, which also caused problems of smell.

The Environment Agency is discussing with the landowner about how to remove the waste since the company became insolvent.

Environment management team Leader Louis Harvey said: “These charges relate to significant amounts of household waste found at sites in West Yorkshire and the East Riding. Waste of this nature can have a detrimental impact on the environment as well as local communities, so it is vital that companies know their responsibilities and adhere fully to waste management regulations.”

The three men were bailed to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court on June 4.

Goole councillor Keith Moore said: “I don’t think there would have been any prosecution had it not been for the pressure applied by three local councillors.

“The length of time it took to remove the rubbish was inexcusable, just short of a year.”

KPMG liquidators were appointed on April 24, after the directors sold business assets to WRD, a company which also operates in the waste sector.

In a statement KPMG said Whitecase Ltd, which formerly traded as Leeds Paper Recycling Ltd, was placed into liquidation “due to a shortage of working capital which arose following its failure to secure additional investment”.