Macclesfield man convicted and sentenced for fly-tipping near Woodnook Vale Nature Reserve
Macclesfield man convicted and sentenced for fly-tipping near Woodnook Vale Nature Reserve
A man from Macclesfield has been convicted and sentenced after admitting responsibility for a fly-tipping offence near a well used recreational and ecological site in Hyndburn.
Joseph Norcup, of London Road, Macclesfield, appeared before Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on the 22 April 2026 and pleaded guilty to knowingly causing controlled waste to be deposited on land without an environmental permit, contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The offence took place on 7 September 2025, when a significant quantity of household waste was deposited from a white van on the bridle path adjacent to King George V Playing Fields in Baxenden, a key access route to the Woodnook Vale Local Nature Reserve.
Image: Photograph of fly-tipped waste near Woodnook Vale Nature Reserve
The incident was witnessed by a local resident who saw three individuals unload waste from the vehicle in broad daylight. Photographs and video footage of the vehicle and the fly‑tipping were taken and later provided to Hyndburn Borough Council as part of the investigation.
Council officers attended the site the following day and found a large amount of controlled waste, including furniture, bags and household appliances, dumped on the bridle path. Evidence recovered from the waste linked it to a property in Accrington, where waste removal had been arranged through a social media advertisement.
Further enquiries established that Mr. Norcup had been paid to remove the waste and was the registered keeper and person in control of the vehicle used. He was later summonsed to court and entered a guilty plea.
At sentencing, the court heard that the fly‑tipping caused distress to residents and had a significant negative impact on a valued recreational area. The Council also incurred costs in arranging for the waste to be removed and correctly disposed of.
Mr. Norcup was sentenced to a 12‑month Community Order, requiring him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and full costs to Hyndburn Borough Council of £1,865.08, bringing the total to £1,979.08, payable over 12 months.
A Hyndburn Borough Council Spokesperson said:
“Fly‑tipping causes real harm to local communities and to the environment, particularly when it takes place near sensitive and well‑used sites like Woodnook Vale. This case demonstrates that the Council will investigate incidents thoroughly and take formal action where there is clear evidence. We would also remind residents to always check that anyone removing waste on their behalf is properly licensed.”
Hyndburn Borough Council encourages residents to report fly‑tipping and to ensure they use authorised waste carriers when arranging waste removal, as householders can also be held responsible for how their waste is disposed of.