Rusper Golf Club, which has recently closed permanently, has been fined by the Environment Agency of England for participating in unauthorized waste dumping, alongside Cook and Son Ltd and Bell and Sons Construction Ltd.
A confidential tip-off brought to the attention of investigators the golf club’s waste management activities, which did not comply with the regulations established by the Environment Agency. The operation involved the disposal of waste materials such as glass, wood, plastic, tarmac, brick, and concrete on the golf course. This was carried out under the guise of constructing embankments to catch errant golf balls, with the club accepting soil loads containing illegal waste. The total cost for the waste dumping operation was estimated to be around £70,000.
The senior environmental crime officer, Jamie Hamilton, unveiled that the illegal dumping occurred over a span of five months during the 2018 season. The implicated parties asserted that they were unaware of the requirement for environmental permits, believing that planning permissions from the local district council sufficed.
The investigation also brought to light that the documents related to the illegal dumping were deficient in crucial details, with many waste transfer notes being incomplete and lacking important information about the waste and its source. District judge Tessa Szagun characterized the behavior as “reckless” and imposed a combined fine of £38,000 on Rusper Golf Club and the contractors.
The Environment Agency underscored the detrimental impact of illegal waste dumping on human health and the environment, as well as its economic consequences. The agency estimated that waste crime costs the economy about £1 billion annually.
Rusper Golf Club, established in 1992 by Tony Jacklin, ceased operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
The improper waste disposal by Rusper Golf Club and the ensuing legal repercussions stand as a reminder of the importance of complying with environmental regulations and waste management procedures. It also underscores the significant impact of waste crime on the environment and the economy. It is imperative for businesses to obtain the necessary permits and ensure proper waste disposal protocols to avoid such legal consequences.