Bellway Homes Slapped with £100k Fine for Dumping Toxic Waste in Northumberland
Housebuilder Bellway Homes Limited will cough up a hefty £100,000 to North East environmental charities after illegally dumping contaminated soil at its St Mary’s Park development near Stannington, Northumberland.
Contaminated Waste Imported from Another Site
Between 22 November and 12 December 2017, Bellway imported 2,688 cubic metres of toxic soil—packed with wood, metal, wire cables, rubber, plastic, and vehicle tyres—from another development at Five Mile Park. The company claimed it was using the soil to build a bund around an attenuation pond designed to catch excess rainwater.
But the Environment Agency wasn’t buying it. In February 2019, after a tip-off about illegal waste activity, an officer visited the site and slapped down an enforcement notice demanding the waste’s removal. The contaminated soil was shifted first within the site, then sent off to a licensed waste facility in summer 2020.
Bellway blamed its consultants for wrongly advising that importing the waste didn’t require authorisation—an excuse that falls flat under environmental law.
£100,000 Payout to Local Wildlife Charities
Bellway’s voluntary Enforcement Undertaking, accepted by the Environment Agency, means the housebuilder will pay:
- £50,000 to Northumberland Wildlife Trust
- £30,000 to Wear Rivers Trust
- £20,000 to Tyne Rivers Trust
This cash will fund local environmental improvements, while Bellway must also update its waste protocols and raise awareness to prevent further breaches.
Environment Agency Slams Bellway Over Waste Mess
“Despite being a large and experienced housebuilder, Bellway claimed it followed advice to import contaminated soil without proper authorisation,” said Andrew Turner, Area Environment Manager for the North East.
“The waste sitting on site for so long caused distress to local residents but has now been cleared.”
“While prosecutions are reserved for the worst offenders, Enforcement Undertakings let companies put things right and help protect the environment in future.”
