AN illegal waste fire has led to a £9,000 fine for a company in Haresfield.

A Stroud District Council employee spotted smoke coming from a site in Haresfield earlier this year and went to have a closer look.

When the officer visited the site, owned by Citi Utilities Ltd, he discovered a fire in a skip that contained burning wood and plastic-coated cables that was producing a plume of thick, black smoke.

A representative of the company appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Monday to answer charges relating to the illegal disposal of waste on March 10.

They pleaded guilty to three environmental offences.

Magistrates sentenced the company to fines and costs totalling £9,170.

Stroud District Council’s Environment Committee chair, Cllr Simon Pickering said that the authority will continue to act swiftly to robustly enforce waste regulation.

“I am very pleased that our environmental protection team took quick action when it became aware of this potential offence," said Cllr Pickering.

"The judgment passed down sends a very clear message to offenders.

"Waste regulations exist to protect our citizens and the wider environment, and every business dealing in waste, whether they produce, carry, sort, recycle, ship or dispose of it, has a responsibility to fully comply with them.

"Companies tempted to take short cuts by irresponsibly disposing of waste illegally should understand that SDC will act swiftly to robustly enforce waste regulations.”