By Adrian Mansbridge

The 2018 Waste Enforcement Regulations give environmental enforcement authorities in England and Wales the power to restrict access to a waste site for three days (and for up to six months at a time after this with Court approval) where there is a serious risk that pollution from the waste site will harm the environment or human health.

The Regulations also give the authorities powers to require the removal of all waste from land where there is no permit or exemption in place even if that waste was originally deposited lawfully. Significantly, this power applies to the occupier or, if the occupier cannot be found, the owner of the land.