Plymouth City Council Environmental Enforcement

28/08/2025

🎓🏠 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 – 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗲!

Letting to students? You’re running a business — and that means any 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲.

🛋️ Broken furniture, fittings & renovation waste 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀 or be 𝗱𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗱 in service lanes.

🚫 Illegal disposal = £400 Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution.

✅ Use licensed commercial waste services.

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗣𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 & 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁. ♻️

17/03/2025

👀 Another positive outcome for the team at court last week 🗝️♻️

📢 Fly-tipping offences lead to prison term for man with a van

The court heard how, on four different occasions, he used a tipper truck to dump a variety of waste in service lanes and car parks across Plymouth.

Yesterday (13 March), he was sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple environmental violations.

Find out more ➡️ https://ow.ly/OC2a50VhW37

11/03/2025

🚨 Fly-Tipping Conviction in Stonehouse 🚨

A Stonehouse resident has been convicted of fly-tipping after dumping a large recliner sofa on the pavement outside a block of flats.

A concerned member of the public reported the sofa, stating it had been in the residents garden for months before being discarded on the street. Despite attempts to contact the resident, they did not respond, and a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) was issued—which they chose not to pay.

The case went to court, where the resident pleaded guilty and was convicted. The result? A total of £580 in fines & costs and a criminal record.

This is a reminder to dispose of waste responsibly. Dumping rubbish isn't just an eyesore—it costs taxpayers and has serious consequences.

📢 Think twice before fly-tipping! 🚯

12/02/2025

🚮 Littering FPN Paid! 🚮

After a member of the public reported someone littering fast food packaging from their car at Mount Batten Car Park, we carried out an investigation and issued a £150 FPN, which has now been paid.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a great photo, so instead, we asked AI to create one! Not overly accurate but you get the idea!🙃

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/litter-problems

04/02/2025

🚨 £400 Fine for Fly-Tipping in Cattedown 🚨

When this family decided to have a major clear-out, instead of making the short trip over Laira Bridge to Chelson Meadow to dispose of their waste legally, they chose to dump it in the lane—expecting refuse collectors to deal with it.

Fly-tipping is illegal and unfair on the community. A £400 Fixed Penalty Notice has now been paid for this offence in Radford Avenue, Cattedown.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/fly-tipping

31/01/2025

🚨 Fly-Tipper Fined Over £4,000! 🚨

A member of the public reported a sign written tipper dumping a large amount of vegetation on Vinery Lane, prompting an investigation by Plymouth City Council who wrote the case up for court.

When it was discovered the land was just over the border into South Hams, the case was handed to South Hams District Council, who took it through to prosecution.

Mr Hawken of Ace Plant Hire pleaded guilty and was sentenced —now facing over £4,000 in fines, compensation, and costs. If he fails to pay within 12 months, he could spend three months in prison.

This case shows how councils working together can tackle fly-tipping and hold offenders accountable.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/fly-tipping
https://www.southhams.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/fly-tipping

03/01/2025

🌍 **In 2024 our team investigated** 🌍

- 🗑️ 283 reports of a build up of waste on properties
- 🚮 393 reports of fly-tipping
- 🌿 281 reports of littering
- 🏢 228 reports concerning businesses and waste management
- 🐕 246 reports of issues regarding dogs
- 🔊 408 reports of noise nuisance
- 🚮 177 reports of domestic bin mismanagement

We’ve also been involved in:

- 🏗️ Consulting on 222 planning applications
- 🌷 Helping to arrange the funerals of 46 deceased Plymouth residents.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/environment-and-pollution

20/12/2024

Contaminated green bins, nothing recycled, and black bags dumped in the lane days before collection—unsurprisingly ripped open by animals.

2 x FPNs for littering paid in Lipson.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/section-46

11/12/2024

When businesses dont manage their waste correctly this is what happens 👇

Businesses must ensure that the bins they are using are big enough for the amount of waste they produce, are collected frequently enough and are in good condition to ensure waste cannot escape.

£400 FPN for fly tipping paid in the City Centre.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-duty-of-care-code-of-practice/waste-duty-of-care-code-of-practice

07/11/2024

📢 Draft Animal Licensing Policy - Have Your Say!

As the Licensing Authority, we oversee licenses for activities impacting animal welfare, from dog breeding and pet boarding to hiring out horses, keeping exotic animals, and more. Our draft Animal Licensing Policy sets a clear framework for applicants and license holders alike.

What the Policy Covers:
*Our role in animal welfare & relevant laws
*Guidance on application processes
*Standards for granting licenses
*Enforcement and licensing fees

Our goal? Fairness, consistency, and high standards in animal welfare across licensed businesses. We’re also proposing additional safeguarding measures to protect animals.

🌟 This is your chance to help shape the policy -

We want to hear your views on our draft Animal Licensing Policy

11/10/2024

Shell Close, in Moor View was often a big mess on collection day. Multiple black bags of waste placed next to bins, many ripped open by seagulls, that were often filled with recyclable material that hadn't been separated out.

As a result the council wrote to residents reminding them of how to manage household waste and warned them against leaving loose bags out next to bins.

A few people still didn't pay any attention and so our team attended to gather evidence. One of those residents was issued with a £150 FPN for littering which wasn't paid.

The case was heard in court yesterday and the resident now has to pay £275 instead.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste

10/10/2024

Some dog owners are creatures of habit, and sadly, not all habits are good ones 🐶

Fed up with repeatedly finding dog mess on the street, a local business took action and passed on images to our team. After a investigation, we identified the culprit, and the dog owner has now been fined for failing to clean up after their dogs 💩

A £100 FPN paid in the City Centre.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/report-dog-fouling