Latest news with #Section215
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Households warned to take this one item out of garden or risk huge fine
Be careful which items you leave out in your garden - experts warn that a common item left outdoors for too long can actually result in serious fines and legal action UK households are being urged to check their gardens - experts say there's one otherwise harmless item that could land you a hefty fine. With the weather warming up and the sun on full blast, more of us are spending time in our outdoor areas. But while you may think you can do as you please in your own garden, there are some laws you need to be aware of. Garden experts at Decking Superstore caution that many homeowners are unknowingly breaking environmental rules. It turns out leaving piles of soil, rubble or general garden debris lying around in their outdoor spaces can lead to legal consequences. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment. READ MORE: Weird £1 supermarket item clears slippery decking in minutes and gardeners swear by it A spokesperson for Decking Superstore said: 'People think it's fine to leave a mound of soil or a few broken bricks in the corner of the garden, but councils may view that as controlled waste. It might not feel like fly-tipping — but under the law, that's exactly how it can be treated.' This is because, according to the Environmental Protection Act 1990, soil, rubble, and most garden waste are considered 'controlled waste' – which means they must be disposed of in a legal and responsible manner. This applies even if the material is on your own property. Therefore, leaving it to sit for indefinite periods can lead to enforcement action, particularly if it causes a mess, attracts pests, or spills onto a neighbour's land or public path. If waste is judged to be fly-tipped or illegally stored, households could be fined up to £400. Meanwhile, more serious cases can lead to prosecution and maximum fines of £5,000 or even see you end up in prison. You should also be wary that the material does not create a health or environmental hazard, such as attracting rats or blocking access. Otherwise councils are able to issue a statutory nuisance notice under Section 79 of the same Act. If the notice is ignored, further legal action can be taken. You may even be ordered to tidy it up if you're not careful. Landlord advice experts at First 4 Landlord Advice warn that the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 gives councils the power to demand clean up if a garden or outdoor area is deemed to be affecting the appearance of the neighbourhood. In some cases, this can even lead to Section 215 enforcement, where homeowners are legally ordered to tidy their land or face court proceedings. The Decking Superstore spokesperson advised: 'It doesn't have to look like a rubbish dump for enforcement to happen. If something is clearly not being used, is unsightly, or is attracting complaints, you could get a visit from your local authority. So, which items can put you at risk of being fined? Decking Superstore has put together a list of common garden items that could get you in trouble if left out too long. Common garden items that could get you into trouble Piles of soil or rubble Broken slabs, bricks, or concrete Old garden furniture Rusty tools or equipment Rotting wood or decking Plastic grow bags, plant pots or trays Overgrown or unmanaged waste piles Disused barbecues, appliances, or building materials
Daily Mirror
08-08-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
UK households with gardens face £5,000 fines for 'not keeping it tidy'
People who own a garden are being reminded to take certain items out of garden or potentially risk a fine Households are being urged to ensure certain items aren't left in their gardens for too long, or they could risk being fined. As warm weather heats up in the UK, many homeowners will be heading out into their gardens to spruce them up as part of a DIY project and take advantage of the balmy conditions. However, garden specialists at Decking Superstore warn that homeowners could get into trouble if their gardens aren't kept 'tidy enough' and certain everyday items are left lying around. So, homeowners are being urged to check their gardens for one item in particular that may seem harmless but could put them on the wrong side of the law. The garden specialists say they've seen many homeowners unknowingly breaking environmental rules by leaving piles of soil, rubble, or general garden debris unattended in their outdoor spaces. "People think it's fine to leave a mound of soil or a few broken bricks in the corner of the garden," a spokesperson said. "But, councils may view that as controlled waste. It might not feel like fly-tipping — but under the law, that's exactly how it can be treated." What does the law say? Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, soil, rubble, and most garden waste are considered 'controlled waste'. This means they must be disposed of in a legal and responsible manner. Even if the material is on your own property, leaving it to sit indefinitely can lead to enforcement action, especially if it causes a mess, attracts pests, or spills onto a neighbour's land or public path. If waste is judged to be fly-tipped or illegally stored, households could be fined up to £400. More serious cases lead to prosecution and maximum fines of £5,000 or even imprisonment. If the material creates a health or environmental hazard — for example, by attracting rats or blocking access — councils can also issue a statutory nuisance notice under Section 79 of the same Act. If the notice is ignored, further legal action can be taken. The issue doesn't stop there. The landlord advice team at First 4 Landlord Advice also note that the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 gives councils the power to demand cleanup if a garden or outdoor area is deemed to be affecting the appearance of the neighbourhood. In some cases, this can even lead to Section 215 enforcement, where homeowners are legally ordered to tidy their land or face court proceedings. "It doesn't have to look like a rubbish dump for enforcement to happen," the spokesperson said. "If something is clearly not being used, is unsightly, or is attracting complaints, you could get a visit from your local authority." What shouldn't The team of garden specialists has compiled a list of common garden items that could get you in trouble if left out too long: Piles of soil or rubble – Often considered controlled waste if left unattended. Broken slabs, bricks, or concrete – Treated as construction waste under the law. Old garden furniture – Especially if it's damaged, decaying, or visibly abandoned. Rusty tools or equipment – May be seen as environmental hazards if left outside. Rotting wood or decking – Could attract pests or present safety risks. Plastic grow bags, plant pots or trays – Especially if not in use and littered around. Overgrown or unmanaged waste piles – Like heaps of leaves, clippings or twigs. Disused barbecues, appliances, or building materials – If not part of a current project. What is generally fine (if managed properly)? There's no law against using your garden for personal projects, so the following are typically allowed, as long as they are tidy and do not cause harm: Working compost bins (with lids). Neatly stored DIY or gardening materials. Potted plants, growing containers, and patio furniture in use. Neatly stacked firewood (not excessive or rotting). Gardening tools stored in a shed or lean-to. A simple way to stay safe: The advice from the specialists is pretty clear: don't leave piles of soil, bricks, broken slabs, or waste material lying around your garden — even if you think you'll use it later. If it's not part of an active project and it looks abandoned, deal with it promptly. They say you could always legally dispose of materials by using a licensed waste carrier or your local tip. They also recommend doing a quick monthly check of your garden to ensure no clutter is building up. "A clean garden isn't just about appearances — it's a legal responsibility. What seems like a small pile of dirt today could be a fine tomorrow," the spokesperson said. "I always put on music while I work. It turns cleaning into dancing — and it never feels like a chore."
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Owners of derelict church hit with Durham County Council's highest ever fine
The owners of a listed church has been hit with Durham County Council's highest ever penalty of almost £125,000 for failure to carry out repairs. Purvis Construction NE Ltd, based on Silkworth Road in Sunderland, owns the grade II listed St Aidan's Church in Blackhill. The company was taken to court for the second time by Durham County Council in relation to the now-closed church's condition. St Aidan's Church, Blackhill, County Durham (Image: NE NEWS) Magistrates heard how the company failed to start or complete any work to address the state of disrepair the church was found to be in. This week, the court chose to impose a financial penalty of £500 for each day that has passed since the first prosecution, which is the maximum amount allowed. In total, this amounted to £124,800 - the council's highest ever financial penalty. But, since the company failed to attend court, it has now been hit with more costs, and is now facing a £134,800 fine in relation to the church. In November 2023, the council served the company a Section 215 maintenance notice requiring them to carry out repairs to the building's roof, clear pipes, replace windows and cut back plants on the property. Damage to the roof of St Aidan's Church, Blackhill, County Durham (Image: NE NEWS) Damage to the roof of St Aidan's Church, Blackhill, County Durham (Image: NE NEWS) The company failed to respond to the notice within the 16 weeks given to act, resulting in them being taken to court by the council and, after failing to turn up, being ordered to pay £10,000. A year later, in December 2024, the church had fallen into such a state of disrepair that it was no longer wind or watertight and was having a 'negative impact on the appearance of the surrounding area', which led the council to prosecute Purvis for the first time. Overgrown plants and damage to St Aidan's Church, Blackhill, County Durham (Image: NE NEWS) Councillor Lyndsey Fox, the council's cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: 'St Aidan's occupies a prime place in Blackhill and its listed status and the fact it is within the local conservation area add to its importance locally. 'Regrettably, over time it has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair and that has upset a lot of people living in the area who regard the old church as an important part of their heritage. 'We share their concerns and that is why we served an enforcement notice compelling the owner to carry out work. 'More than a year and a half later and despite the company being ordered to pay £10,000 following our first prosecution, no work has been started or completed. Read more Woman hit with £600 fine after dumping bath and rubbish outside homeMan fined for being drunk and disorderly in Durham city centre - at 8.15amCowboy builder faces jail after leaving County Durham family £62k out of pocket 'We are really pleased that the court has taken this latest prosecution so seriously and has meted out what amounts to our highest ever financial penalty. 'We hope that penalty might serve as food for thought for any property owners who might not look after important heritage assets as well as they could.' Despite being continually made aware of their convictions, the company has to date failed to start or finish any of the works required.
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Phillies Reunite With $34 Million Slugger as Bryce Harper Struggles in Trade Idea
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philadelphia Phillies saw a two-game win streak cut short by the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. As in the last few seasons, the Phillies are enjoying the benefits of a supremely talented and deep starting rotation. The team has posted the most total strikeouts of any squad in Major League Baseball so far this season. But the offense might be disappointing, given the number of star sluggers on the team. Kyle Schwarber seems to be getting better with age and Trea Turner is enjoying a resurgent campaign so far. But overall, the Phillies are middling in most major offensive categories as a team, and their franchise player is stuck in a rut. Bryce Harper is slashing just .232/.351/.419 with 36 hits and 39 strikeouts in his first 155 at-bats, prompting him to shave his head in an apparent attempt to turn things around. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 12: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park on May 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cardinals defeated the Phillies... PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 12: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park on May 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cardinals defeated the Phillies 3-2. (Photo by) More Leff/Getty While a new look might trigger a turnaround for Harper, Nick Halden of FanSided's Section 215 proposed a more drastic solution. "However, the Philly lineup isn't without its fair share of concerns, including a slow start by Bryce Harper. With this in mind, the Phillies should be looking at potential lineup upgrades that help the team regain control of the division," Halden wrote. "One potential fit could be a familiar face for the Phillies in current (Milwaukee) Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins." Now in the second season of a two-year, $34 million deal with the Brewers that includes an $18 million mutual option for next season, Hoskins is a different player than he was during his six-year run with the Phillies. His offensive production dipped last season as he returned for a major injury, but he seems to have picked it back up at the plate so far this season, slashing .276/.384/.423. That production is good enough to suggest he would boost the Phillies' offense, if not serve as an outright replacement for Harper at first base. "Having that ability to platoon Hoskins in the lineup makes the team far deeper," Halden added. "Hoskins coming back to Philly is possible when you consider the likelihood of the Brewers opting to sell off veteran contracts." While this potential trade would delight many Phillies fans, the team is likely banking on Harper turning it around in short order and it is probably saving its trade capital for an upgrade in the outfield, if anything. More MLB: Yankees Infielder Transported to Hospital in Ambulance After Suffering Horrific Injury
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Eagles vs Commanders referees: Which NFL officials will call the NFC Championship Game?
It will be an NFC East showdown in the NFC championship on Sunday in Philadelphia as the Eagles play host to the Washington Commanders with a spot in Super Bowl 59 on the line. We now know who will be on the call for that one as the NFL has assigned Shawn Hochuli as the head referee for the game. Hochuli's father, Ed Hochuli, was an NFL official from 1990 until 2017. Joining Hochuli on the crew as the umpire will be former NFL player Mike Morton, who is calling the game in his first eligible season to officiate a conference championship game. The referee assignments for the AFC and NFC Championships are set! — NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) January 20, 2025 If history holds, it's an assignment that seems to favor the Eagles. Philadelphia is 6-1 in games that Hochuli is assigned, while the Commanders are just 1-3, per Section215.
