Controversial former 'Hayle Citizen of the Year' and sand removal contractor Chris Lello has been prosecuted for stockpiling waste at his North Quay site. Mr Lello pleaded guilty to charges of storing excessive quantities of waste contrary to the terms of his licence and was ordered to pay over £6000 in fines and costs.
Magistrates at Camborne were told that under the terms of his licence Mr Lello was permitted to keep up to 7,500 tonnes of inert and degradable waste, but that officers from the Environment Agency became increasingly concerned at the quantity of waste that was being stockpiled. They also discussed the acceptance of non-permitted waste with Mr Lello the court was told.
On visiting Mr Lello's premises in May 2003 Officers estimated that more than 13,000 tonnes of waste were being stored on site - almost double the quantity permitted by his licence. Officers then described how despite warnings and advice Mr Lello made no reduction in the amount of waste being stored, indeed the amount actually seemed to be increasing.

Seeing no improvement, an enforcement notice was eventually issued in January 2005 giving Mr Lello six months to reduce the amount of waste held at North Quay and also requiring  him to provide new containers in order that different types of waste could be kept at least one metre apart.

An officer for the Environment agency said that the problems continued despite a number of warnings being given to Mr Lello. Given the situation the Environment Agency had no option but to prosecute, he said.

Magistrates fined Mr Lello £5,000 and ordered him to pay costs amounting to £1,265.