A fly-tip, found on Hambleton Way Allotments in Chilton, and containing construction waste, including tiles and a wheelbarrow, was reported to Durham County Council in November 2025.
An investigation by the local authority’s neighbourhood warden team determined that Thomas Tyers, aged 36 of Pennine Way in Chilton was involved.
A warning was sent to Tyers, after which he contacted the council and was given further time to clear the waste from the site.
He failed to do this and was given a Community Protection Notice (CPN). Despite receiving even more time to contact the local authority, he ignored the notice.
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard during mitigation that Tyers was aware of the warning, but poor weather resulted in him struggling to remove the waste.
Tyers pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £100, ordered to pay a £40 victim surcharge and £2,130 in costs, all totalling £2,270.
He is set to pay the costs in monthly instalments of £100 and has 28 days to set this up.
Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “There is no excuse for dumping waste and Tyer’s case shows just how seriously we take this type of behaviour. It is a major blight on our landscape and cleaning up construction waste like this can lead to a huge cost for the taxpayer.
“If you’re asking someone to get rid of your waste, make sure they are a legitimate business, ask where they are taking it to, and make sure to get a receipt. There are many ways to dispose of waste correctly, and cases like these undercut legitimate traders.”
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
