(Image: Durham County Council)
Residents are being hit with hefty fines for failing to keep their gardens tidy.
A number of County Durham households have been prosecuted for not complying with Community Protection Notices related to waste, with some fines and costs reaching over £900.
Durham County Council’s neighbourhood wardens have taken action against individuals who ignored warnings and failed to pay fixed penalty notices.
(Image: Durham County Council)
A Durham County Council spokesman said: "These cases demonstrate that failing to deal responsibly with waste or choosing to ignore enforcement notices can ultimately result in significant financial penalties.
"Neighbourhood Wardens will continue to investigate reports of waste offences, littering and other environmental issues across the area."
(Image: Durham County Council)
Recent prosecutions include:
- Pennine Gardens, Stanley: £917 in fines and costs.
- Gairloch Drive, Perkinsville: £731.
- Tennyson Gardens, Pelton Fell: £876.
- Nightingale Place, Stanley: £624.
- Lumley Drive, Delves Lane: £435.
- Dorset Crescent, Moorside: £748.
(Image: Durham County Council)
In addition to garden waste offences, two residents were fined for littering after failing to pay fixed penalty notices.
Offenders from Elm Terrace, Craghead, and Strawberry Place in Newcastle upon Tyne were each ordered to pay £512 in fines and costs after ignoring notices for littering in Stanley Town Centre and Durham City, respectively.
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Garden waste which led to a Community Protection Notice.
(Image: Durham County Council)
The council is urging the public to report waste issues to help keep communities clean.
Anyone who wishes to report a property containing waste can do so by calling 03000 260 000 or visiting doitonline.durham.gov.uk.
The council said it will continue to take enforcement action against those who fail to manage waste responsibly, highlighting the financial risks of ignoring warnings and failing to comply with legal notices.