A CASE?of fly-tipping at Worldham golf course has left the landowners reeling from the injustice of having to pick up the bill for clearance and disposal.

According to Margaret Whidborne, a trailer load of refuse – probably from a house clearance – was “dumped” just inside the entrance to the golf course on the B3004 Alton to Kingsley road on November 28 but, because it is deemed to be on private property, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) is unable to assist with removal.

In confirming that this is the case, a spokesman for EHDC also stressed that the owner of the waste has a legal responsibility to ensure that it is correctly disposed of and could face prosecution if it is fly-tipped, be it on public or private ground.

He added: “Fly-tipping has been on the increase in East Hampshire over recent years but this is an issue that we can all do more to combat.

“People are often unaware that they have a legal responsibility to check the paperwork of anyone who disposes of their waste. If you do not do this and the waste is fly-tipped you can find yourself in court – even if you paid for their services in good faith. You could face a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment in a magistrates’ court or an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment if the case is serious enough to go to crown court.”

He continued: “There are many secluded and remote corners of East Hampshire that are particularly vulnerable to fly-tippers. Fly-tips on private land must be cleared by the landowners themselves but we (EHDC) can offer farmers and landowners advice on how to secure their land to keep fly-tippers at bay.”

And he added: “EHDC is always looking to bring prosecutions if we can. We would ask anyone who sees fly-tipping taking place to contact us straight away on 01730 234061. Try to pass on vehicle registration numbers, a description of those committing the offence, details of the items being fly-tipped, the time, the date and any photographs or videos you can take. We can then investigate the incident.”