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Each Mr. Michael Clifford Chadwick, and Mr. Sean Chadwick were given a 10-month sentence suspended for 18-months. They also received two 14-week sentences suspended for 18 month.
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Two 14-week sentences were suspended for 18 months for Gary Michael Chadwick
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SC Chadwicks and Sons Ltd left the Bolton site, leaving Bolton Council to clear it at an estimated $2.7million
The Environment Agency successfully prosecuted a father, and his two sons, for violating Environmental Permit conditions at two sites in Leigh and Bolton. Bolton Crown Court sentenced Sean Chadwick, company director, to a 10-month sentence suspended for 18-months and Michael Chadwick, company secretary, to a total of 18-months. They also received two 14-week sentences each suspended for 18 month. Gary Chadwick of Culcheth Hall Drive was also a Director for SC Chadwick and Sons. He was sentenced to two 14 week suspended sentences for 18 months.
Shaun and Michael Chadwick both pleaded guilty in three cases. One for the permit violations over time at Bolton site, and another for the Leigh site. The Leigh site also failed to comply with a Reg 36 enforcement note at the Leigh site. Gary Chadwick pleaded guilty for the Leigh site charges.
After extensive investigation, the Environment Agency brought the case. The Environment Agency brought the case after an extensive investigation. Many of the sites were not compliant with their permit. This led to the sites being at high danger of pollution.
The Bolton site was examined over a period of 28 June 2014 to February 2016. (Chadwicks ceased trade in 2016), as the Bolton site wasn’t operated to reduce pollution. Officers found that the site exceeded the maximum waste height limits. After an investigation, they reported that the waste had grown to 5m. The sheer volume and weight of the waste was making it difficult to process efficiently and preventing vehicles from safely moving about.
Other pollution risks included fire and odour. There were 172 reports of odour from 2014 until the site was closed. Eight fires were reported between 2006 and 2013. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service inspected the site and found that fire risks had not been managed in accordance to their Fire Prevention plans.
The principal problem with both sites that led to the prosecution was their inability to remove more waste than they brought on, apparently for financial reasons.
Environment Agency officers visited the sites numerous times to offer advice and guidance. Bolton Council is now clearing the Bolton site after SC Chadwicks and Sons Ltd abandoned them.
Mark Easedale is an Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency is committed ensuring that strong enforcement action is taken against those who break the law in order to protect communities, the environment, and the community.
The defendants in this case consistently failed to respond promptly to warnings, warnings, and statutory notices that required them to improve operations at their respective sites.
The Environment Agency permits waste sites to operate legally and with minimal environmental impact. Sites that violate the terms of their permits are a threat to legitimate businesses. In this instance, they caused environmental harm through waste fires, which in turn created misery for residents. Bolton Council was forced to clean up the site at great expense, which cost taxpayers money. We are determined to make criminals’ lives difficult and support legitimate business by disrupting the criminal element.