A man aged 57 has received a sentence after failing to address an unlawful waste installation near Bradford.

Andrew Leadbeater admitted offences related to operating an unauthorised waste business and neglecting to decontaminate the location during his appearance at Kirklees Magistrates Court last week.

The court issued a financial penalty and ordered the site on Wyke Lane in Wyke to be cleared within two months.

Remediation activities are currently underway.

The prosecution was initiated by the Environment Agency, whose spokesperson indicated that the unauthorised waste storage had been causing problems for Wyke residents for some considerable period.

Complaints regarding unlawful tipping and burning at the premises were first lodged with Bradford Council in 2023.

Following a council inspection conducted in June of that year, Leadbeater disclosed that certain waste had been unlawfully deposited on his land and recognised the burning activities.

Leadbeater undertook to cease the burning and make arrangements for clearing the site.

In June the following year, he contacted the council to report that unlawful dumping had taken place on his property.

The council carried out an inspection and discovered considerable waste, referring the matter subsequently to the Environment Agency.

Environment Agency officers first visited the site in September 2024, where they found fire-damaged trailers along with substantial mixed waste consisting of household rubbish, paints, engine oils, tyres, and construction debris.

During subsequent discussion with Leadbeater, he confirmed he was aware of the waste but maintained he did not know where it originated.

Leadbeater indicated he had attempted to secure the premises and agreed to remove the waste promptly.

Inspections carried out in November 2024 and March 2025 confirmed that no waste had been cleared.

The Environment Agency issued a notice requiring Leadbeater to remove all waste from the land by 22 September 2025. This deadline was not observed.

Leadbeater was invited to attend an interview with the Environment Agency in October 2025 but failed to attend.

At last week’s court hearing, Leadbeater was given two months to remove the waste and received a 12-month conditional discharge.

He was ordered to pay £6,067 in costs along with a victim surcharge of £26.

Following the case, Ben Hocking, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said this unlawful waste operation had affected local residents for some time and he was pleased it was now being addressed. He noted the agency was taking strong action against waste crime throughout the industry and would pursue those who contravened the law. He emphasised the importance of anyone with knowledge of illegal waste activity reporting it promptly so the agency could investigate.