Farmer Ordered to Repay £72,500 for Illegal Waste Site on His Land

In a recent crackdown on environmental crimes, a 64-year-old farmer named Martin Harvey has been ordered to repay £72,500 he made from operating an illegal waste site on his farm in St Newlyn East.

On October 3, 2025, Harvey appeared before Truro Crown Court and pleaded guilty to four offenses, including the disposal of hazardous waste such as asbestos that could cause pollution. The Environment Agency had previously issued multiple warnings and formal notices to Harvey, but he continued to operate the unlawful site without the necessary environmental permit.

During inspections from February to July 2025, the Agency found that Harvey had been depositing waste and filling in a wooded valley and a watercourse to create flattened areas on his land, which he intended to develop without any planning permissions in place. Hazardous materials like white and blue asbestos were also present at the site.

As a result of the illegal activities, Harvey was handed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay the £72,500 he made from his waste business by January 9, 2026, or face three months in jail. He was also required to pay the full costs of £16,653.99 to the Environment Agency within one year.

The Agency's representative, Sally Turberville, warned that waste criminals will not be able to conceal their assets or information, emphasizing that such offenses are taken very seriously due to the potential environmental and community impact, as well as the harm caused to legitimate businesses.