In June 2023, Leadbeater told the council some of the waste had been fly-tipped on his land and admitted to burning it. He said he would stop burning and arrange for the site to be cleared.
A year later, Leadbeater contacted the council to complain further fly-tipping had taken place and the council referred the case to the Environment Agency.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Environment Agency officers reported seeing large quantities of waste, including paints, engine oils and tyres during a visit in 2024.
Leadbeater said he was aware of the materials, but did not know who had dumped them.
Follow-up inspections in November 2024 and March 2025 found nothing had been removed.
The Environment Agency then issued a notice requiring the land to be cleared by 22 September 2025, which was not complied with.
Leadbeater also failed to attend an interview with the agency the following month.
Hocking added: “This is an example of how the Environment Agency is cracking down on waste crime across the sector and will always take action against those who break the law.
“It is important that anyone who has information about unlawful waste activity reports it to us as soon as possible so we can investigate and hold perpetrators to account.”
