A MAN has admitted illegally depositing waste at three separate sites across Wales, including in Dolgellau.

Stephen Williams, from Bridgend, was the sole company director for two waste removal companies - Wenvoe Environmental Ltd and Servmax Ltd.

He first pleaded guilty to depositing controlled waste through the companies without an environmental permit at sites in Caerphilly, Cowbridge and Dolgellau between October 2018 and 2019 at Cardiff Crown Court in February 2023.

Williams and Servmax Ltd were charged relating to offences for the depositing of waste at Hengwrt in Dolgellau, and operating a waste facility without an environmental permit.

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Natural Resources Wales (NRW) officers first visited the site at Hengwrt in October 2019.

Similar to the sites in Caerphilly and Cowbridge, they found illegal deposits of textile waste, including clothing, carpets, underlay, foam and mattresses.

Paperwork showed that 527 tonnes of waste had been deposited at the site.

Servmax Ltd was served with a legal notice requiring it to remove the waste from the site, which Williams failed to comply with.

At Cardiff Crown Court yesterday (August 21), sentencing was deferred so that a Proceeds of Crime Application timetable could be set for the potential recovery of monies from Williams, in order to clear the sites at Caerphilly and Hengwrt, and reimburse the landowners in Cowbridge.

Su Fernandez, senior enforcement officer for NRW, said:  “Environmental regulations are in place for a reason.

“Permits are required for businesses that move and store waste, to make sure this is done in a way that does not pose a risk to the environment or human health.

“We work closely with operators to make sure activities comply with the law and provide support and guidance when required.

“Disposing of waste illegally undermines businesses that comply with regulations and invest in the required measures.

“We take offences of this nature very seriously. We won’t hesitate to take the appropriate steps to protect people and nature and help safeguard the marketplace for legitimate operators.”