Man ordered to repay £72,500 for illegal waste site

A man has been ordered to repay more than £72,000 after running an illegal waste site at St Newlyn East.

Martin Harvey, who operated the site on land he owned at Shepherds Farm, appeared at Truro Crown Court on 3 October. He pleaded guilty to four offences and was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The court also ordered Harvey to pay £16,653 in costs within a year. Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, he must repay £72,500 he made from the illegal operation by 9 January 2026 or face three months in prison.

The Environment Agency said more than 10,000 tonnes of household, demolition and hazardous waste, including asbestos, were found at the site. Despite advice, warnings and formal notices, Harvey took no action to protect the environment.

The court heard there was no environmental permit for the site, which allowed waste to be dumped in a wooded valley and watercourse to create flat areas of land intended for development.

During inspections between February and July 2023, Environment Agency officers found the site was operating without permission and that waste, including tyres, was being burned in a makeshift incinerator.

Sally Turberville, from the Environment Agency, said: “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the financial benefit they obtain from their illegal activities. Offenders like Harvey simply won’t get away with concealing information or their assets.”

She added that waste crime could harm the environment, local communities and legitimate businesses.