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Surrey Golf Club's Illegal Waste Scandal

A scandal has rocked a Surrey golf club after it was discovered that illegal waste had been dumped on the course. The Environment Agency’s investigation revealed almost 700 lorry-loads of waste, resulting in significant fines for two Sussex companies and the golf club's owners.  

Reckless Behaviour Uncovered

The illegal dumping occurred at Rusper Golf Club near Gatwick Airport. An anonymous tip-off led the Environment Agency to uncover the reckless actions of Worthing-based Rusper Leisure Ltd, Crawley haulier Cook and Son Ltd, and Bell and Sons Construction Ltd of Faygate. The district judge condemned the behaviour as “reckless,” handing down fines totalling £38,000.   Environment Agency Investigation The investigation revealed that Rusper Leisure Ltd had planning permission to raise part of an embankment on the driving range by 2 metres, intended to catch stray golf balls. However, this permission was only for clean soil. Instead, the company allowed Cook and Son Ltd and Bell and Sons Construction Ltd to offload waste without the necessary approval from the Environment Agency.   Fines and Costs for Involved Parties Company Fine Amount Additional Costs Total Fine Rusper Leisure Ltd £2,000 £3,000 £5,000 Cook and Son Ltd £24,000 £12,500 £36,500 Bell and Sons Construction £12,000 £8,000 £20,000  

Investigation Findings

Investigators found the embankment's surface contained glass, wood, plastic, tarmac, brick, concrete, and other materials. Similar loads were also dumped around the course and nearby areas. Cook and Bell paid Rusper Leisure £100 per load for the waste dumped on and around the greens in late 2018.   Illegal Waste Stockpiling The investigation also discovered that waste was used to create more embankments and was stockpiled close to woods on the edge of the golf course and in the club’s car park. Builders' waste was mixed in with some of the soil, posing significant environmental risks.  

Environmental and Legal Implications

Jamie Hamilton, the senior environmental crime officer leading the investigation, emphasised the importance of obtaining Environment Agency authorisation for waste disposal. Despite this, the companies involved disregarded these regulations.   Statements from Involved Parties Sara Blunden, company secretary of Rusper Leisure, claimed she didn’t know a permit was needed, believing planning permission was sufficient. Duncan Bell, a director with Bell and Sons, admitted he didn’t check if an environmental permit was necessary. Christopher Cook of Cook and Son confessed that his drivers left waste on the course without verifying the site's legality.   Legal Charges and Fines Rusper Leisure Ltd was charged with operating a waste disposal site without an environmental permit. Cook and Son Ltd and Bell and Sons Construction Ltd faced charges under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for illegal waste dumping.   The Takeaway This case highlights the critical need for strict adherence to environmental regulations. The significant fines imposed reflect the gravity of illegal waste disposal and the Environment Agency’s role in enforcing compliance. The community is reminded of the importance of responsible waste management to protect our environment.   Future Implications The closure of Rusper Golf Club, once a renowned course opened by Ryder Cup captain Tony Jacklin, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental negligence. The Environment Agency continues to monitor and enforce regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring that the environment is safeguarded for generations to come.   Sources: THX News & Environment Agency. Read the full article